Teacher Absences Jump In Western Springs: Report

WESTERN SPRINGS, IL – Teacher absences rose last year in Western Springs School District 101.

According to the Illinois Report Card, 18 percent of the district's 117 teachers missed at least 10 days last school year. That works out to about 20 teachers.

The previous year, the district reported that not one of its teachers was absent for at least 10 days. Before that, the district saw rates of 10 percent for two years.

Recently, Patch reviewed the rates in 14 area districts.

At Lyons Township High School, 30 percent of teachers missed 10 or more days last school year, up from 27 percent.

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