FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<\/p>\n\n\n\n
MEDIA CONTACT:
Raven Hill, 410-767-0486
raven.hill@maryland.gov\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
BALTIMORE (September 10, 2026)\u2014<\/strong>Today, State Superintendent of Schools Dr. Carey M. Wright announced a four-year decline in the statewide chronic absenteeism rate, the lowest since the pandemic, reflecting significant progress in getting students back into Maryland classrooms. Dr. Wright made the announcement at Sudbrook Magnet Middle School in Baltimore County Public Schools (BCPS), joined by State Board of Education President Dr. Joshua Michael and BCPS Superintendent Dr. Bill Heiser. Prior to the announcement, they toured the school with First Lady Dawn Moore and State Sen. Charles Sydnor III.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The chronic absenteeism rate for the 2025-26 school year was 22.8 percent, down from 30.9 percent in 2021-22. A student who is chronically absent has missed 10 percent or more of the school year. The new Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) campaign, Maryland Shows Up<\/em><\/a>, kicked off in early September to commemorate Attendance Awareness Month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMaryland schools, families and students deserve credit for \u2018showing up\u2019 to address barriers to attendance,\u201d said Dr. Wright<\/strong>. \u201cA child who has missed just two days of school in September is on track to be chronically absent by June. As we saw from our recent state assessment results, schools with lower rates of chronic absenteeism tend to show better academic performance. 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 \u2014 on time and ready to learn.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMaryland Shows Up<\/em> is about more than attendance. It’s about the habit we’re building in our children\u2014and the commitment we’re making to them,\u201d said Dr. Michael<\/strong>. \u201cAs parents, we can reinforce this message every morning: Your presence matters. Your education matters. What you do today matters. That’s our challenge to every student, every family, and every community across our state: Maryland Shows Up.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n As part of Maryland Shows Up<\/em>, MSDE will launch a new state-level recognition program to highlight school success in lowering chronic absenteeism rates. The campaign will also be featured in radio and social media ads, billboards and public transportation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In collaboration with national partner Attendance Works, MSDE has established a State Attendance Task Force to lead efforts, provided school systems with toolkits to help build their capacity, analyzed school climate data, supported students\u2019 mental health needs, and identified effective strategies used by community schools for potential replication across the state. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBCPS is committed to fostering a culture of attendance excellence, promoting equitable access to education, and implementing innovative strategies to ensure every student attends school regularly and reaches their fullest potential,\u201d said Superintendent Dr. Bill Heiser<\/strong>. \u201cWe are truly proud of the work happening here in BCPS. We are excited to join the state\u2019s initiative and will work diligently to remove all barriers that may impact a student\u2019s ability to show up ready to learn.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIn Maryland, we are committed to building a world class education system, where each child can grow and thrive,\u201d said First Lady Moore<\/strong>. \u201cOur administration will continue to uplift the future of every young Marylander, and I am proud to support initiatives that help our students become better learners, and highlight the educators who help them succeed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The visit by the First Lady reinforced the Moore-Miller administration\u2019s commitment to building a best-in-the-nation public education system in Maryland and showcases her ongoing commitment to uplifting Maryland\u2019s children and families. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Under the leadership of Governor Moore, Maryland, the administration made record investments in education, including in the administration\u2019s FY27 budget, ensuring local school systems have the resources necessary to meet the needs of students. Maryland\u2019s investments in public education are delivering real results across the state, helping to drive a post-pandemic learning recovery that ranks in the top five nationwide. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Beyond securing vital resources to advance the academic needs of students, the governor\u2019s FY27 budget invests over $480 million to modernize aging school facilities; and expands the Grow Your Own program<\/a> to create career pathways for educators. <\/p>\n\n\n\n ###<\/p>\n\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<\/p>\n MEDIA CONTACT:Raven Hill, 410-767-0486raven.hill@maryland.gov\u00a0<\/p>\n State Superintendent Announces Four-Year Decline in Chronic Absenteeism Rate<\/p>\n