Chronic absenteeism is one of the most significant barriers to student success, and its effects can reverberate for a lifetime. Research indicates that chronically absent students are at a higher risk of falling behind academically, losing engagement with their education, and eventually dropping out.
Absenteeism stems from various factors, but transportation remains one of the most significant and persistent challenges. Without dependable transportation to and from school, students face tremendous educational barriers, limiting their ability to establish a strong foundation for future success.
Rising tide of homelessness
The number of students facing homelessness in the United States has surged in recent years. According to the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s 2024 Annual Homelessness Assessment Report, the U.S. now faces its highest level of homelessness on record.
Alarmingly, the percentage of families with children experiencing homelessness rose by nearly 39% in just one year, marking the most significant increase ever documented.
This rise in homelessness is reflected in transportation data as well. Since 2020, the number of McKinney-Vento students served by EverDriven, an alternative youth transportation solution, has increased by 167.4%, highlighting the growing demand for services that address the unique needs of this vulnerable population.
For these students, consistent access to education is critical. Schools provide more than academic instruction; they offer meals, stability, emotional support, and a sense of community. Yet, for students without a stable home, traditional transportation systems often fall short, leaving them unable to benefit from these essential services.
Role of transportation in chronic absenteeism
A March 2024 report on The Education of Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness identified transportation as one of the key factors contributing to chronic absenteeism. For this population, frequent changes in drop-off and pick-up locations create significant challenges in ensuring consistent transportation access.
While traditional school bus systems, which typically operate on static residential routes, are reliable for most students, they often struggle to meet the unique needs of transient populations. Additionally, limited budgets and ongoing driver shortages make it difficult for districts to adapt their existing resources to effectively support these vulnerable students.
Impact of absenteeism on poverty
The effects of chronic absenteeism – defined as missing 10% or more of the school year – extend far beyond the classroom, creating a ripple effect that shapes a student’s entire life. Students who miss significant amounts of school are less likely to graduate on time, and those who drop out face daunting economic challenges:
- Earnings gap: Adults without a high school diploma earn, on average, $10,000 less annually than their peers with a high school diploma – roughly $37,000 per year compared to $47,000 – according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
- Poverty rates: Individuals without a diploma face a poverty rate of 25%, more than six times higher than those with a bachelor’s degree.
- Generational poverty: Families headed by dropouts are more likely to rely on public assistance, perpetuating the cycle of poverty across generations.
Ensuring that students have consistent access to education is not just a matter of academic achievement—it’s a critical step toward breaking cycles of poverty and creating pathways to opportunity.
Federal support and local implementation
The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, a federal law enacted in 1987, was designed to address these barriers. The act requires school districts to ensure that students experiencing homelessness have access to transportation, explicitly stating that “homelessness is not sufficient reason to separate students from the mainstream school environment.”
Under the McKinney-Vento Act, districts are eligible for federal funding to support transportation for students facing homelessness. However, implementing these solutions at the local level remains a challenge. District leaders must navigate tight budgets, logistical complexities, and rising demand to ensure every student has a reliable way to get to school.
Call to action: Prioritizing transportation
Transportation is more than a logistical challenge; it is a fundamental component of educational equity. School districts have shared firsthand that prioritizing transportation as an investment in students’ futures has proven to be an effective strategy for addressing a root cause in chronic absenteeism.
Students need policymakers and education leaders to:
- Leverage Federal Funding: Fully utilize McKinney-Vento funding to support innovative transportation solutions tailored to the needs of vulnerable students.
- Collaborate with Community Partners: Work with local organizations and service providers to create flexible, scalable transportation options.
- Invest in Long-Term Strategies: Adopt data-driven approaches to identify at-risk students and implement proactive transportation plans that ensure consistent attendance.
Breaking the cycle of poverty starts with ensuring every child can access their education. By investing in reliable, consistent transportation solutions, we can help students stay in school, graduate, and build a brighter future.
