DeSoto County school district’s absentee rate tops state average
For the 2023-24 school year, DeSoto County Schools reported that 26.82% of its students were chronically absent. (Mark Weber/The Daily Memphian file)
More students across Mississippi were chronically absent during the 2023-24 school year compared to the prior year, according to statistics released by the Mississippi Department of Education on Wednesday, Aug. 14.
During the previous school year, the Department of Education reported an absentee rate of 24.4% compared to 23.9% in 2022-23. The rate was even higher at DeSoto County Schools, according to the statistics. For the 2023-24 school year, DCS reported that 26.82% of its students were chronically absent.
Despite topping the state average, DCS did improve from the 2022-23 school year, when it reported that 28.52% of its students were chronically absent.
Chronic absenteeism: DeSoto County sees rise in percentage in recent years
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DeSoto County Schools DCS Cory Uselton DeSoto County Mississippi Department of Education chronic absenteeism Subscriber OnlyThank you for supporting local journalism.
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Rob Moore
Rob Moore covers North Mississippi for The Daily Memphian. He holds a B.A. and an M.A. in English from The University of Memphis.
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