Teacher Absenteeism High At Hinsdale D86

HINSDALE, IL – Hinsdale High School District 86 is often among those setting the standard among the state's districts.

However, teacher absenteeism remains an exception.

Last school year, 47 percent of District 86's teachers were absent 10 or more days, compared with 36 percent statewide, according to the Illinois Report Card website. District 86's rate was the same as the previous year.

Patch reviewed the rates in 30 area districts. At 47 percent, District 86 is tied for the third-highest absenteeism rate with La Grange School District 105. The highest rate in the area was Villa Park-based Salt Creek School District 48, at 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.

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