Archived articles

Robert balfanz

An empty school hallway, with lockers on one wall and doors to classroom on the other
Education
A 'tsunami' of chronic absenteeism
Published Feb 29, 2024
Since the pandemic, the percentage of students missing about one month of class time per year has more than doubled, Johns Hopkins researchers say
A classroom with some students but some chairs are empty
Education
Chronic absenteeism tests schools
Published Oct 12, 2023
In 2021-22, 66% of American students attended a school where at least one in five classmates missed four weeks of school, according to new analysis
Students in a classroom work on an assignment while one looks directly into the camera and smiles
Education
Johns Hopkins, national partners tackle academic success and well-being for students
Published July 5, 2022
National Partnership for Student Success, with U.S. Department of Education and AmeriCorps, will help students recover from impact of COVID-19 pandemic
Held back
Published June 6, 2013
Failure to improve reading, math skills among high school students puts nation at risk, Balfanz writes / CNN.com
Champion for education
Published Feb 27, 2013
SoE's Bob Balfanz honored by White House for commitment to furthering education among African-Americans
Missing from middle school
Published Winter 2012
Why all parents—not just the parents of truants—should be concerned about absenteeism in their child's school / Johns Hopkins Magazine
Minding absenteeism
Empty desks often lead to less learning
Published Oct 9, 2012
Chronically absent students can slow pace of learning for an entire class, particularly in middle school, School of Education researcher says