Longwood students present research showing Prince Edward’s chronic absenteeism above state average but improving

Longwood University students and faculty presented research to the Prince Edward County School Board on chronic absenteeism, reporting that the division’s chronic absenteeism rate is about 20%, above the state’s roughly 19% but down significantly from earlier local levels.

The presentation, led by Dr. Bidwell and 18 students from the Cormier Honors College, summarized national and state statistics and a qualitative study of 18 Virginia K–12 teachers. The students said the division’s 20% rate came from Virginia Department of Education data and that local rates have improved by nearly 10 percentage points from prior years. “Prince Edward County Public Schools have 20 percent of students chronically absent,” one presenter said.

The students described their methods — interviews, transcription and coding — and identified root causes including socioeconomic hardship, family caregiving responsibilities, transportation gaps, communication breakdowns and school-climate issues. Teachers interviewed reported additional strains on staff: extra planning time, personal time to create make-up materials and increased stress when students return after long absences.

To address absenteeism, presenters recommended bolstering family outreach (including scheduling events after the workday), expanding mental-health services in schools, positive re-engagement strategies for returning students and exploring hybrid or flexible scheduling options for students who work or have caretaking duties. They also cautioned against tying school funding and accreditation solely to attendance metrics without addressing underlying socioeconomic needs.

Board members thanked the students and praised the partnership with Longwood. One member said the county is working to “make schools a place where kids want to come,” and encouraged students to carry their findings to the General Assembly. Superintendent staff asked for continued collaboration and said administration will host a public town hall on attendance and mental health.

Next steps: the board invited Longwood to continue the partnership, asked administration to circulate the presentation materials, and scheduled a virtual town hall on attendance with mental-health partners.