Caddo Parish Truancy Rate Declines, But Trails National Norm

By: Ark-La-Tex Staff Writer

Caddo Parish Public Schools reported a 5 percentage point drop in its truancy rate for the 2024–25 school year, bringing chronic absenteeism down from around 28% to 23%, according to data from the Louisiana Department of Education.

Local Progress

Nearly 2,300 students in the district missed 10% or more of school days this year, classified as chronically absent, highlighting significant improvement over the prior year. Caddo Parish credits targeted support systems with helping reduce absenteeism. One such support system is Truancy Assessment Service Center (TASC), which deploys teams of officers and counselors to identify and assist at-risk students with outreach and check-ins. Another support system is Trauma-informed support in the form of the Trust-Based Relational Intervention. Elementary schools integrated TBRI to support students facing emotional stress or family instability. In cases of sustained absenteeism, students are referred to juvenile court when all other supports are exhausted. Dr. Casey D. “CJ” Hayes, Attendance Coordinator, said these supports are working: “We are seeing fewer students slipping through the cracks thanks to early outreach … Our target remains under 20% absenteeism in the next academic year.”

How Caddo Compares Nationally

According to the U.S. Department of Education, the national chronic absenteeism rate fell from 31% (2021–22) to about 28% (2022–23). Reporters warn that even a 28% rate is high, as studies show chronic absenteeism exceeding 20% can impair school-wide performance. Nationwide, chronic absenteeism surged from 15% in 2018 to 28% by 2022, and remains elevated at 26% in 2023. Caddo’s rate of 23% is 5 points below the national average, suggesting positive momentum, yet remains notable relative to broader U.S. trends.

Why Truancy Matters

National and district data make clear: Missing 10% of school days correlates with lower academic achievement, higher dropout rates, and long-term social implications. In Caddo Parish, these trends are especially concerning given that nearly 23% of parish residents live below the poverty line, intensifying the stakes for school engagement.

What Lies Ahead

The school board is proposing enhanced funding for TASC, increased counselor staffing, and expanded trauma-focused programs for 2025–26. Local work is underway: transportation options, attendance awareness campaigns, and deeper analytics, down to individual school level, are being considered. The district’s goal is reducing chronic absenteeism to below 20%, aiming to match or better the national norm.

Bottom Line

Caddo Parish has made measurable progress in lowering its truancy rate, closing the gap with national averages. However, with nearly one in four students chronically absent, district leaders emphasize the need for continued investment and community effort to ensure all students attend regularly.