La Grange Schools' Teacher Absenteeism On High Side

LA GRANGE, IL – All three La Grange area school districts reported teacher absenteeism that was higher than the state average.

Patch reviewed absenteeism rates in 30 area districts.

Last school year, 47 percent of teachers at La Grange District 105 were absent for at least 10 days, according to the Illinois Report Card website.

The rates were 40 percent at La Grange District 102 and 42 percent at La Grange Highlands District 106.

Statewide, the absenteeism rate was 36 percent. Lyons Township High School's rate was 20 percent.

Other area districts reported much lower rates of absenteeism. The rates were 0 percent at Burr Ridge-based Pleasantdale District 107, 10 percent at Western Springs District 101 and 15 percent at Proviso High School District 209.

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