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September is Attendance Awareness Month in schools, and an Alabama Education Lab analysis of chronic absenteeism rates showed a wide range among the state’s school districts and schools.

These rates indicate the percentage of students who missed 18 or more days of school in a given school year. Schools across Alabama are sending reminders and tips to help parents make sure their children are going to school every day.

The rate for Andalusia City Schools dropped from 14 percent in 2021 to 12 percent in 2022. After its lowest rate of 10 percent in 2019, ACS stood at 18 percent in both 2017 and 2018.

Andalusia Elementary School held steady at 10 percent in 2021 and 2022 after seeing a 5 percent rate in 2019. The rates at AES were 14 and 15 percent, respectively, in 2017 and 2018.

Andalusia Junior High School increased to 18 percent from 14 percent in both 2019 and 2021. AJHS was at 13 percent in 2018 and 10 percent in 2017.

Andalusia High School saw a decrease from 23 percent in 2021 to 11 percent in 2022 after checking in at 17 percent for 2019. AHS rates were significantly higher in 2017 at 28 percent and 2018 at 26 percent.

Covington County Schools saw its rate increase from 7 percent in 2019 and 10 percent in 2021 to 16 percent in 2022. CCS numbers stood at 16 percent in 2017 and 14 percent in 2018.

Fleeta Jr. High School increased from 14 percent in 2021 to 21 percent in 2022. FJHS was at 9 percent in 2019, 17 percent in 2018, and 21 percent in 2017.

Florala High School moved from 13 percent in 2021 to 22 percent in 2022. FHS stood at 10 percent in 2019 and 11 percent in both 2017 and 2018.

Pleasant Home School stood at 1 percent in 2019 and 4 percent in 2021 but jumped to 17 percent in 2022. PHS was at 17 percent in 2017 and 11 percent in 2018.

Red Level School increased from 4 percent in 2019 to 16 percent in 2021 but moved back down to 14 percent in 2022. RLS was at 15 percent in 2017 before an 11 percent showing in 2018.

Straughn Elementary School was slightly up from 6 percent in 2021 to 10 percent in 2022. SES was at 9 percent in 2019, 16 percent in 2018, and 15 percent in 2017.

Straughn Middle School rose from 7 percent in 2019 to 9 percent in 2021 and 12 percent in 2022. SMS was at 22 percent in 2018 and 16 percent in 2017.

Straughn High School increased from 10 percent in both 2019 and 2021 to 23 percent in 2022. SHS previously stood at 17 percent in 2018 and 18 percent in 2017.

W.S. Harlan Elementary School was at 3 percent in 2019 and 6 percent in 2021 before an increase to 15 percent in 2022. WSH saw its 2018 numbers at 6 percent and 14 percent in 2017.

The rate for Opp City Schools shifted from 10 percent in 2019 and 13 percent in 2021 to 15 percent in 2022. OCS had a 15 percent showing in both 2017 and 2018.

“Absenteeism in general is one of the biggest issues we face. I do believe it is more a reflection of society than anything else. There was once a time when we arranged our lives around school and work, and now I think more folks are arranging school and work around their lives. Research is clear that attendance matters with regard to academic achievement. That is not even up to debate. I’m afraid the other lessons being learned may have a greater significance. Kids need to learn early that you get up, and you go to work or school. That’s just what you do. We are doing young people, and future employers, a disservice when we don’t require a greater commitment to regular attendance,” OCS Superintendent Michael Smithart said.

Opp Elementary School rose from 6 percent in both 2019 and 2021 to 9 percent in 2022. OES was previously 10 percent in 2017 and 13 percent in 2018.

Opp Middle School decreased from 11 percent in 2019 to 10 percent in 2021 but increased to 14 percent in 2022. OMS was at 15 percent in 2017 and 12 percent in 2018.

Opp High School increased from 15 percent in 2019 to 24 percent in 2021 but dropped to 22 percent in 2022. OHS previously stood at 21 percent in 2017 and 22 percent in 2018.

Rates were not reported for any school or district during the 2019-2020 school year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.