Date of Award

2026

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Education (EdD)

Department

Curriculum & Instruction

First Advisor

Tonie McDonald, Ed.D.

Second Advisor

Shaireen Rasheed, Ph.D.

Third Advisor

Bradley Krauz, Ed.D.

Abstract

Recent educational research studies have shown that an alarming number of students are chronically absent from school, a trend that is occurring both nationwide and in New York State. While this number had been slowly increasing before the COVID-19 pandemic, it has accelerated significantly following the pandemic. This increase in chronic absenteeism is also prevalent across Nassau and Suffolk County high schools; there has been a large increase in the percentage of students who are chronically absent in high school since the COVID-19 pandemic. Experts warn that this increased number can lead to multiple negative consequences for students, including social isolation, poor test performance, and higher dropout rates. The purpose of this study is to identify trends and commonalities among chronically absent students in Long Island secondary schools, and to understand the barriers students face when attempting to return to school. A mixed methods approach will be used. First, New York State Report Card data for chronic absenteeism among Long Island secondary school students will be used, and comparisons among different student subgroups will be analyzed. Second, a survey questionnaire and follow up questions will be administered to school administrators, school counselors, social workers, and school psychologists. The results of this study will help contribute to the ongoing literature on chronic absenteeism and a post-COVID-19 landscape, and help to inform districts, administrators, teachers, and stakeholders for better understanding the ongoing causes of chronic absenteeism among secondary school students on Long Island.

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