A new state law aims to seek ways to cut down chronic absenteeism in New Jersey schools by creating a statewide task force to study why students miss class and recommend ways to boost attendance.

The measure establishes the Chronic Absenteeism Task Force. The group will look for the main reasons students are frequently absent and develop data-based ideas to help school districts improve attendance. Assemblywomen Verlina Reynolds-Jackson, Linda Carter and Carmen Morales sponsored the bill, A5779.

“As chair of the Assembly Education Committee, I’m dedicated to doing all we can to make sure our students and educators perform at the highest level,” said Reynolds-Jackson (D-Hunterdon, Mercer) in a written statement. “As a state, we need to have a broad conversation about the reasons behind chronic absenteeism and what can be done to make sure students get the education they need to succeed. This bill is an important step in bringing the necessary stakeholders to the table to address this critical issue.”

The task force will include educators, parents, school administrators, and school board members. Its members will review the barriers that keep students from attending school regularly and then suggest changes that could guide future state policy and local school practices.

The group will also look at what has worked in other states and recommend ways New Jersey school districts can better engage families to help keep students in school.

Chronic absenteeism — defined as missing 10% or more of the school year — has surged nationwide since the pandemic. In New Jersey, the rate peaked at 18.1% in the 2021-22 school year before dropping to 14.9% in 2023-24. That is still well above the pre-pandemic rate of 10.6% in 2018-19.

“Every missed day of school is a missed opportunity,” said Carter (D-Somerset, Union). “Chronic absenteeism has long-term impacts on academic performance, mental health, and even graduation rates. We must take a comprehensive approach, and that starts with collaboration at the state level.”

Gov. Phil Murphy had previously issued a conditional veto of the bill, asking lawmakers to shrink the task force from 20 to 15 members and give it a full year, instead of six months, to deliver its final report.