Student absenteeism and teacher job satisfaction

By Cynthia Lake, Center for Research and Reform in Education, Johns Hopkins University

Student absenteeism is known to impact individual student outcomes negatively, but research suggests that high rates of absenteeism also affect classroom dynamics and teachers' job satisfaction. A recent article in Educational Researcher analyzed data from a nationally representative sample of kindergarten teachers to understand the correlation between classroom absenteeism and teacher job satisfaction. Using responses from 2,370 teachers surveyed in the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study-Kindergarten Class, the study investigated whether an increase in classroom absenteeism predicted lower levels of teacher satisfaction.

The study found that teachers reported lower job satisfaction when a higher percentage of their students were frequently absent. Key dimensions affected included general job enjoyment and teachers’ perceived effectiveness in their roles, as they often had to remediate absent students, slowing instructional pace and potentially disengaging other students. While absenteeism led to a noticeable decline in overall teacher satisfaction, there was no statistically significant impact on other related aspects, such as teaching efficacy, perceptions of school culture, or school support systems. These results were consistent across both novice and experienced teachers, suggesting that absenteeism challenges contribute to job dissatisfaction regardless of teaching experience.

The findings have broader implications for policy, particularly in today’s educational climate where absenteeism has reached record levels post-pandemic. The authors highlight that addressing absenteeism is essential not only for improving student outcomes but also for supporting teacher retention and satisfaction. Recommended interventions include professional development focused on family engagement, trauma-informed practices, and enhanced support for teachers facing high absenteeism rates in their classrooms.