CORRELATES OF SCHOOL ABSENTEEISM: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF WHAT WE KNOW AND WHAT WE DON’T

School absenteeism has been referred to as a hidden educational crisis by the United States Department of Education. National data show that chronic absenteeism has doubled since pre-pandemic rates, increasing from about 16% of school students to nearly 30% during the 2021-22 school year. To understand this widespread issue, I conducted a systematic review of the available literature on potential risk factors or correlates associated with school absenteeism. A total of 106 studies published between 2000 and 2023 were included in this review. Coding was completed by me and advanced research assistants to determine how school absenteeism has been defined in the literature, the demographic characteristics of the literature base (e.g., grade levels, publication field), and what correlates or risk factors were examined in relation to school absenteeism, taking note of significant findings. As the first systematic review to examine this area of the literature to date, this review aimed to expand our knowledge of this phenomenon, as well as inform future research and practice. Results revealed that although this area of the literature is underdeveloped, some risk factors appear consistent across the literature (e.g., health status, SES, housing, food insecurity, substance use), as well as protective factors, particularly related to school climate. Implications for future research and practice are discussed. Keywords: school absenteeism, educational practices, systematic review