Teacher absenteeism rates can cause “significant learning loss” to students, according to a report released by the Heritage Foundation on Thursday.
The Heritage Foundation’s education policy department cited research showing that teacher absenteeism “has been growing over the past three school years.”
The report shows teacher absentee rates were slightly higher for teachers in schools with a high minority student population and teacher absenteeism is “highest among those serving students who are struggling the most,” including high school teachers and teachers of students with special needs.
Even while teacher absenteeism has been on the rise, NCES researchers found that finding a substitute has been difficult.
SAN FRANCISCO TEACHER UNION LEADER THREATENS STRIKE IF PAY RAISES AREN’T MET AMID BUDGET WOES
Studies cited by the Heritage Foundation show that the findings have significant implications for students and how teacher “absenteeism can result in significant learning loss and can have negative impacts on nonacademic and behavioral outcomes.”
POLITIFACT DEFFENDS RANDI WEINGARTEN: ‘MISLEADING’ TO CLAIM SHE OPPOSED REOPENING SCHOOLS
Data from the National Assessment of Educational Progress shows the score changes in grade 4 and grade 8 students from 2019 to 2022. (Fox News)
The rise in teacher absenteeism comes after national test scores showed sharp declines in math and reading due to COVID lock-downs.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
