Skip To Main Content

Decrease in Chronic Absenteeism

DISTRICT 126 POINT OF PRIDE & CONTINUED FOCUS
In 2025, the chronic absenteeism rate was:

  • 29% district-wide

Reducing chronic absenteeism was a key target in our 2021–2025 Strategic Plan and remains a critical focus under our Vision 2030 work. While we are proud of the significant improvement at ZB East, we acknowledge that ZBTHS and the district overall continue to face challenges that require sustained, collaborative effort.

According to Illinois law, a student is considered chronically absent if they miss 10% or more of school days in a year, with or without a valid excuse. Regular attendance is essential—not only for academic success but also for developing strong peer relationships, maintaining mental well-being, and staying connected to the school community. Students who are chronically absent are more likely to struggle academically and socially over time.

District 126 continues to implement proactive attendance interventions—including the Attendance Matters initiative, home visits, student and family outreach, and strategic support systems—to keep students engaged, present, and supported.

Use your cursor to hover over the bars on the graph below to explore how chronic absenteeism rates have shifted over the past six years.


Click here to view the Illinois Report Card: D126 Chronic Absenteeism Information.