From Missed Classes to Missed Opportunities

Despite the scale of the issue, we still know surprisingly little about what happens when students are absent. Existing research has largely focused on why students miss school - not what it means for their academic performance, long-term prospects, or well-being. In Sweden, the lack of a national attendance register has made it difficult to study these outcomes systematically.

This project addresses that gap. We examine how different patterns of absenteeism impact students' short-term academic results and long-term educational trajectories. Using a combination of descriptive statistics, cluster analysis, and fixed-effects models, we track how absenteeism varies across student groups and school environments.

A Broader Lens on Inequality and Intervention

Our mixed-methods approach offers a more nuanced understanding of absenteeism - not just as an educational issue, but as a reflection of broader societal inequalities, including mental health challenges and economic disadvantage.

The project supports the development of early warning systems, more targeted interventions, and smarter attendance policies. It also lays the foundation for a national attendance register in Sweden, helping schools monitor and respond to absenteeism in real time.

Better data. Better understanding. Better futures for students.