High Teacher Absence Rate In Elmhurst D-205

ELMHURST, IL – Elmhurst School District 205's teacher absence rate is higher than the state average and tied for sixth highest among 30 area districts, state figures show.

Last school year, 44 percent of District 205's teachers were absent 10 or more days, compared with 34 percent statewide, according to the Illinois Report Card website.

Patch reviewed the rates in 30 area districts. District 205's rate was tied with Fenton District 100 in Bensenville.

Higher than District 205 were La Grange District 102 (46 percent) and Hinsdale District 86, Mannheim District 83 and Darien District 61 (all 47 percent). The highest rate in the area was Lombard District 44's, at 48 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 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.

More than a week ago, Patch contacted Tonya Daniels, District 205's spokeswoman, for comment on the teacher absence rate. But she provided no response.

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