Kids are missing less school as Maryland absenteeism rate hits lowest since pandemic

Maryland's superintendent of schools announced on Thursday that the state recorded a four-year drop in the chronic absenteeism rate, the lowest level since the COVID-19 pandemic.  

State Superintendent Carey M. Wright joined other state education officials in announcing the latest results at a press conference. The event was held at Sudbrook Magnet Middle School in Baltimore County Public Schools (BCPS). 

Wright said the statewide chronic absenteeism rate for the 2025-26 school year was 22.8%, down from 30.9% in 2021-22. A student is considered chronically absent when missing 10% or more of the school year. 

The reduction in chronic absenteeism is being supported by a new statewide campaign by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE)  called "Maryland Shows Up." The program aims to promote efforts to improve regular student attendance to school districts, families and community partners, state education officials said. 

Maryland Shows Up officially kicked off in early September to commemorate Attendance Awareness Month.   

"Maryland schools, families and students deserve credit for 'showing up' to address barriers to attendance," said Wright.

"As we saw from our recent state assessment results, schools with lower rates of chronic absenteeism tend to show better academic performance," she added. "Each one of us plays an important role in setting up every student, every day, for future success by helping them to show up to school — on time and ready to learn."  

Maryland's State Board of Education President, Joshua Michael, said the Maryland Shows Up program is about more than just attendance. 

"It's about the habit we're building in our children—and the commitment we're making to them. As parents, we can reinforce this message every morning: Your presence matters. Your education matters. What you do today matters."