Every Day Counts
OECD:
Every morning, millions of children are expected to attend school. Yet many face barriers that prevent regular attendance. School attendance problems (SAP) are no longer a marginal issue; they have become a challenge affecting classrooms in nearly every country. This report synthesises evidence from the OECD Policy Survey on School Attendance Problems, literature and international large-scale assessments to give an account of key concepts, terminology and international trends, drivers, and consequences of school absences. It also takes stock of policies and practices for supporting school attendance and distils key messages and policy pointers emerging from the evidence presented in the report.
To support a concise international analysis, this report uses “school attendance problems” as a broad umbrella term and “absence” as a concise term for all forms of non-attendance among students formally enrolled in primary or secondary education. However, international comparisons are challenged by varying terminology.
The language and classification used can shape responses to SAP and experiences of students and families. The terminology can influence how absences are measured, interpreted and addressed. Distinctions, such as authorised and unauthorised absences, often determine whether interventions are supportive, disciplinary or legal. These classifications can also contribute to disadvantages for marginalised students and families.
Despite these challenges, international large-scale assessments (e.g. PISA and TIMSS) provide an indication of patterns. SAP have worsened over time in several education systems since early 2010s. They are more prevalent among certain groups, including disadvantaged and immigrant students. However, results differ by context, time, and between educational levels. Moreover, measures based on student self‑reports and school leaders’ perceptions often produce different pictures, underscoring challenges in measurement and comparison. Nevertheless, post-pandemic attendance remains a concern with many education systems reporting persistently higher absence rates following the pandemic.
