Elmhurst D205 Teacher Absence Rate Still High

ELMHURST, IL – Elmhurst School District 205's teacher absence rate remains on the high side compared with other districts, but it is improving.

Last school year, 40 percent of District 205's teachers were absent 10 or more days, compared with 36 percent statewide, according to the Illinois Report Card website.

The local rate is down from 44 percent from the year before.

Patch reviewed the rates in 30 area districts. District 205 tied with four other districts for eighth highest in the group.

Those with higher absence rates were La Grange Highlands District 106 (42 percent), Hillside District 93 (44 percent), La Grange District 105 and Hinsdale High School District 86 (47 percent), Lombard District 44 and Mannheim District 83 (52 percent) and Salt Creek District 48 (54 percent).

Some places have much 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.

In early 2020, before the pandemic, Patch looked at the 2018-19 teacher absence rates for District 205 and 14 nearby school districts. District 205 had the highest rate, at 37 percent. The state average at the time was 27 percent.

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