Contrasts In Burr Ridge's Teacher Absenteeism

BURR RIDGE, IL – Burr Ridge School District 180's teacher absenteeism rate was on the high side last year. Another local district's rate was the lowest in the area.

Patch reviewed the rates in 30 area districts.

Last school year, 40 percent of teachers at Burr Ridge District 180 were absent for at least 10 days, according to the Illinois Report Card website.

By contrast, none of the teachers at Pleasantdale District 107 fell into that category. The rate was 33 percent at Gower School District 62.

Statewide, the absenteeism rate was 36 percent.

Meanwhile, Hinsdale School District 86 had one of the highest rates in the area, at 47 percent missing at least 10 days. Lyons Township High School's rate was 20 percent.

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