Governor McKee, Infante-Green Announce 4th Consecutive Year of Declining Chronic Absenteeism Statewide, Resulting in 4.4 million Instructional Hours Recovered

PROVIDENCE, RI — Today, Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee and Education Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green kicked off the Attendance Matters RI campaign for school year 2026-27, announcing the 4th consecutive year of decreased chronic absenteeism. Validated year-end data for School Year 2025-2026 indicate Rhode Island has experienced a 14.4-percentage-point decrease in chronic absenteeism since the height of the pandemic, resulting in the recovery of approximately 4.4 million instructional hours. 

They were joined by Senate Education Chair Hanna Gallo, House Education Committee Member Rep. Susan Donovan, Providence Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Javier Montañez, 2027 Rhode Island State Teacher of the Year Michael Cook, and students, officials, parents, educators, and community leaders.

“Rhode Island has set a bold goal of ensuring every student has the opportunity to thrive, and the data are clear: students must be in school consistently to succeed,” said Governor McKee. “The recovery of more than 4.4 million instructional hours since the height of the pandemic is a testament to that progress. While we have made significant gains, we must continue emphasizing the importance of showing up every day so that all students can benefit from the opportunities and learning experiences our schools provide.” 

Senate Education Committee Chairwoman Hanna M. Gallo said, “As someone who spent my career in public schools, I can attest to the critical importance of attendance. The Attendance Matters Campaign has helped dramatically and consistently improve attendance rates across Rhode Island. We need to continue to work together to engage parents and everyone in the school community to make sure that all of our students are in school.”

“One thing I know from my years as a teacher is that students whose families make school the highest priority are the kids who get the most out of school and are eager to learn. Showing up every day on time, rested, prepared, and ready to learn is absolutely necessary for kids to engage in school and absorb what they’re being taught,” said Rep. Susan R. Donovan (D-Dist. 69, Bristol, Portsmouth), a member of the House Education Committee and a retired educator.

“Attendance and student success are interconnected, and we are proud that Rhode Island continues to lead the way in making sure students are in class consistently and ready to learn,” said Commissioner Infante-Green. “Thanks to the tireless work of our students, families, educators, school leaders, and community partners, we have recovered millions of hours of learning and are seeing tremendous momentum across our schools. We will continue to share the message that ‘Attendance Matters’ with the goal of improving outcomes for all students.”

“We cannot teach our students if they are not in school, which is why I'm so grateful for the dedication of our school leaders, teachers, attendance teams, community partners, and, most importantly, our families,” said Providence Public School District Superintendent Dr. Javier Montañez. “Thanks to their work, thousands more students are in school consistently, learning and preparing for their future, because every student deserves excellent instruction in every classroom, every day.”

The State House event also recognized Attendance All-Star schools across Rhode Island for their work to reduce chronic absenteeism.

During the last year of their district’s respective state intervention, both Providence and Central Falls achieved their all-time lowest chronic absenteeism rates since the 2009–2010 school year, which was the first year RIDE began tracking statewide data.

In School Year 2025-26, Providence had a chronic absenteeism rate of 25.3%, a 31.8 percentage point reduction from the 57.1% chronic absenteeism rate recorded during the height of the COVID pandemic in School Year 2021-22. This reduction since the height of the pandemic is the largest of any traditional local education agency in the state.

Central Falls had a chronic absenteeism rate of 22.2% in School Year 2025-26, a 26 percentage point reduction from the 48.2% chronic absenteeism rate recorded during School Year 2021-22.

Statewide, during School Year 2025-26, chronic absenteeism declined approximately 2.4 percentage points from the previous year, reducing the statewide chronic absenteeism rate to 19.7%. This represents 3,655 fewer absences than the previous year.

Post-pandemic, Rhode Island has been recognized as a national leader for curbing chronic absenteeism, which is defined as missing 10% of school days in a year, about 2 days a month.

For School Year 24–25, the Rhode Island Public Expenditure Council (RIPEC) reported RI had the 5th-largest chronic absenteeism drop in the nation.

Elementary School Attendance All-Stars

Lowest Chronic Absenteeism Rates

1. Nayatt School (Barrington) – 1.1%

2. Oak Lawn School (Cranston) – 1.6%

3. Stony Lane Elementary School (North Kingstown) – 1.7%

4. Melrose Avenue School (Jamestown) – 2.1%

5. Primrose Hill School (Barrington) – 2.8%

Most Improved (Year-Over-Year)

1. Nuestro Mundo Public Charter School – -18.1 percentage points

2. John F. Horgan Elementary School (West Warwick) – -15.4 points

3. Holliman School (Warwick) – -12.7 points

4. SouthSide Elementary Charter School – -12.4 points

5. Greenbush Elementary School (West Warwick) – -11.1 points

Middle School Attendance All-Stars

Lowest Chronic Absenteeism Rates

1. The Compass School – 3.3%

2. Segue Institute for Learning – 4.0%

3. Barrington Middle School – 4.4%

4. The Lawn School (Jamestown) – 4.5%

5. Archie R. Cole Middle School (East Greenwich) – 7.3%

Most Improved (Year-Over-Year)

1. Esek Hopkins Middle School (Providence) – -14.1 percentage points

2. Woonsocket Middle School at Villa Nova – -9.2 points

3. Woonsocket Middle School at Hamlet – -8.0 points

4. Western Hills Middle School (Cranston) – -7.1 points

5. Joseph H. Gaudet Middle School (Middletown) – -6.8 points

High School Attendance All-Stars

Lowest Chronic Absenteeism Rates

1. Segue Legacy High School – 3.9%

2. East Greenwich High School – 8.2%

3. Barrington High School – 9.6%

4. The Greene School – 10.4%

5. Burrillville High School – 12.2% 

Most Improved (Year-Over-Year)

1. RINI Middle College Charter High School – -16.6 percentage points

2. Chariho Alternative Learning Academy – -11.5 points

3. Bridge Academy (Providence) – -10.7 points

4. West Warwick Senior High School – -9.4 points

5. Ponaganset High School (Foster-Glocester) – -8.5 points