GAO Finds Federal Chronic Absenteeism Data Unreliable
A GAO report reveals federal chronic absenteeism data is unreliable due to flawed counting methods and weakened oversight, undermining national efforts to
The U.S. Government Accountability Office released a report Wednesday finding federal calculations for chronic absenteeism rates are unreliable and often implausible. The analysis of the 2022-23 school year found around 2.5% of schools nationwide showed improbable rates, with some even reporting 100% of students as chronically absent.
Chronic absenteeism is defined as a student missing 10% or more school days over a year for any reason. The GAO identified a core flaw: the Education Department counts enrolled students based on a single-day snapshot on October 1, but counts students as chronically absent over the entire school year. This method is problematic due to student mobility throughout the year. States also calculate chronic absenteeism differently, leading to no consistent national measure.
The GAO warned that, unless addressed, the department's EDFacts data cannot reliably compare or track trends, identify schools or states with concerning levels, or evaluate the impact of national accountability efforts. In an audit, the GAO found some schools reported attendance rates above 100 percent.
Federal oversight weakened under Trump administration
The Education Department’s capacity to monitor state implementation of the Every Student Succeeds Act has been reduced. The Trump administration slashed the workforce in the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education by 43%. It also cut staff by over 85% at the Institute of Education Sciences, the office responsible for EDFacts data collection.
The problem is tied to the department's decision to suspend its regular, comprehensive examinations of state ESSA implementation. Comprehensive monitoring was paused in 2016. Before the suspension, more than half of states-32-hadn’t undergone a comprehensive review since 2019. While there are no hard-and-fast ESSA requirements for how the department monitors states, it had asked states to move to a more uniform system in 2024 under the Biden administration, an effort that was halted. The department conducted more than 100 oversight and monitoring activities from 2019 to 2025.
Department resists GAO’s recommendations for reform
Despite GAO urging better alignment of enrollment and attendance counts and the resumption of comprehensive monitoring, the Education Department has declined to impose new reporting burdens on states. The GAO recommends Congress enact clearer state monitoring requirements and that the department promptly resume its consolidated monitoring process.
The department disagreed with the recommendation to better align counts, stating the data limitation is already noted in its reporting activities. It did not want to impose additional reporting burdens. The GAO countered that an expert stated states already need to identify students enrolled for at least 10 days for EDFacts reporting, so additional burdens could be minimal. The GAO also recommends the department require states to report chronic absenteeism rates using a more uniform, accurate method.
The department said the variance in rates is a known limitation and did not agree to require a more uniform approach. It promised to publish nonbinding guidance for states on calculating absenteeism rates.
State-level use and political response
While 36 states now include chronic absenteeism as an indicator in their statewide ESSA accountability systems, the lack of uniform measurement undermines national comparisons and equity efforts. The Every Student Succeeds Act governs more than $25 billion in federal K-12 funding. In 2025, ESEA formula grant funds totaled more than $18 billion for Title I schools. States that do not measure chronic absenteeism explicitly must still report it on public report cards.
Implausible rates particularly occurred at schools where students attend for part of the day, such as those with career and technical education programs. About a quarter of students nationally have been chronically absent in recent years. Kirsten Baesler, assistant secretary of the Education Department’s Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, wrote a letter included in the report disagreeing with most of the GAO’s conclusions.
Officials said they will roll out a new monitoring plan this fall. The Education Department will issue guidance on reporting chronic absenteeism for students with partial school day attendance. Kirsten Baesler said, "The Department will continue to partner with states, the private sector, and policymakers to improve American students’ attendance and improve academic outcomes."
