High Teacher Absenteeism In Darien District

DARIEN, IL – Darien School District 61's teacher absence rate was higher than the state average and tied for second highest among 30 area districts, state figures show.

Last school year, 47 percent of District 61's teachers were absent for at least 10 days, compared with 34 percent statewide, according to the Illinois Report Card website.

Patch reviewed the rates in 30 area districts. District 61's rate is tied with those in Hinsdale High School District 86 and Mannheim District 83. The highest rate in the area was Lombard District 44's, at 48 percent.

Darien's two other elementary districts, Center Cass District 66 and Cass District 63, saw teacher absenteeism rates of 31 percent and 36 percent, respectively.

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, 2021-2022