Central Teachers Absent More Than Hinsdale Elementary Teachers

HINSDALE, IL – The teacher absenteeism rate is a lot higher at Hinsdale Central High School than in the local elementary school district.

Last school year, 45 percent of Central's teachers were absent at least 10 days, according to the Illinois Report Card. That's up from 26 percent a year earlier, but lower than 2022-23's 50 percent.

In Hinsdale School District 181, 18 percent of teachers missed at least 10 days last school year. The two previous years were 33 percent and 38 percent.

Recently, Patch reviewed the rates in 14 area districts.

The statewide rate was 34 percent last year.

Under state law, the rate excludes 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, 2024-2025