Teacher Absences Low In Western Springs: Report

WESTERN SPRINGS, IL – Western Springs School District 101 reports that not one of its 115 teachers missed 10 or more days last school year.

That's down from a rate of 10 percent the two previous years, according to the Illinois Report Card. Last year, the statewide average was 34 percent.

Patch reviewed the rates in 14 area districts.

At Lyons Township High School, 27 percent of teachers missed 10 or more days last school year, up from 20 percent.

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, 2023-2024