Darien Schools' Teacher Absenteeism Below State Rate

DARIEN, IL – All three Darien elementary school districts reported teacher absenteeism rates that were below the state average last school year.

The state measures the percentage of teachers who are absent for at least 10 days.

Locally, Darien District 61 was the lowest, at 26 percent who missed at least 10 days. Center Cass District 66 and Cass District 63 were at 30 percent and 33 percent, respectively, according to the Illinois Report Card website.

Statewide, the absenteeism rate was 36 percent.

Hinsdale High School District 86 had one of the highest rates in the area, with 47 percent of teachers absent at least 10 days. Downers Grove High School District 99 was lower, at 33 percent.

Some places have considerably lower rates such as Burr Ridge-based Pleasantdale District 107 (0 percent) and Western Springs District 101 (10 percent).

Under state law, the rate does not include absences for professional development, leave under the Family Medical Leave Act, long-term disability or parental leave.

The U.S. Department of Education sees teacher attendance as a leading indicator of student achievement. Teachers with regular attendance provide continuity of instruction and attention to individual students, according to the Illinois Report Card.

"The National Bureau of Economic Research has shown that when teachers are absent for 10 days or more, student outcomes decrease significantly," the report card said. "Teacher absence results in loss of instruction time for students, as well as financial concerns to the district when substitutes must be employed."

Source: Illinois Report Card, 2022-2023