Forum Friday: Wisconsin’s Stubbornly High Rate of Chronic Absenteeism

Seeking Solutions: Wisconsin’s Stubbornly High Rate of Chronic Absenteeism

Virtual event | October 30, 2026 | 12:30 – 1:30 p.m.

On October 30, 2026 the latest installment of our virtual event series, Forum Friday, focused on the rise in chronic absenteeism in Wisconsin schools.

Previous Forum research has found that rates of chronic absenteeism for Wisconsin’s students – missing more than one in ten school days for any reason – spiked during the pandemic and still remain at elevated levels. An upcoming report examines chronic absenteeism in Milwaukee schools and seeks to identify successful solutions implemented in other cities.

Our Forum Friday program reviewed statewide data and highlighted solutions that may be applicable to districts around the state. Our panelists included:

Michele Butler District Administrator Gale-Ettrick-Trempealeau School District	Elizabeth Cook Vice President for State Impact Attendance Works	Robert Rauh Senior Advisor City Forward Collective

October 2026 Forum Friday PowerPoint Slides

During Forum Fridays, we discuss a timely research topic and invite notable guests and Forum members to join the conversation. We hope this can be another way to keep you informed and connected on our state’s most pressing public policy issues. Stay tuned for more Forum Friday events in the near future!

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