Newark’s chronic absenteeism rate drops to 8.5%. Here’s what district leaders say is working.

By: Jessie Gómez

Outlets: Chalkbeat Newark

Published: August 28, 2026

Words: 786

Last Updated: 3 weeks ago

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Newark Public Schools’ chronic absenteeism rate hit a historic low for the 2025-26 school year, dropping to 8.5%. District leaders said on Thursday that it’s also the sharpest turnaround seen in a few years.

New Jersey’s largest school district had a decrease in chronic absenteeism from 27% in the 2018-19 school year to …

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