Supplemental Transportation Can Help Louisiana Schools Fight Chronic Absenteeism

Chronic Absenteeism is a Major Problem for Louisiana Students and School Districts 

Chronic absenteeism remains a significant barrier to student success in the United States and a major challenge for school districts. According to current U.S. Department of Education statistics, 26% of students are chronically absent. The numbers from Louisiana are particularly concerning: 

• According to HoumaToday, Louisiana public schools experienced a chronic absenteeism rate of 24% and a truancy rate of 41% in the 2023–2024 school year.

• NOLA.com reports that 1 in 4 students were chronically absent during the 2023–2024 school year. This represents a three percentage point increase from the previous school year. 

• According to reporting by The Advocate, in Baton Rouge alone, more than 13,000 students were chronically absent in 2024. 

For students from vulnerable populations, the numbers are even more concerning. The Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) reports that in 2023–2024, 37.1% of students in foster care, 28.9% of students with disabilities, and 50.3% of students experiencing homelessness were chronically absent. 

Research shows that chronic absenteeism can predict lower grades, mental health, and graduation rates — KTALnews.com even reported on the link between truancy and future criminal activity. 

Louisiana educational stakeholders are aware of this crisis and are responding in data-driven ways. The LDOE's comprehensive attendance strategy, “The Power of Presence,” provides a framework for schools to prioritize attendance and establish multi-tiered support systems that focus on community-level prevention and intervention efforts, rather than punitive measures.  

The Missing Link: School Transportation 

While “The Power of Presence” correctly focuses on the behavioral, academic, and systemic factors of absenteeism, chronic absenteeism cannot be fully addressed without tackling a fundamental obstacle: a student’s ability to get to school. There has long been a significant connection between transportation, chronic absenteeism, and student outcomes. 

Transportation is not just about getting from point A to point B; it’s about reliability and stability. When a student lacks a predictable and safe way to school, it affects their entire educational experience. It leads to missed learning time, disengagement from peers and teachers, and a sense of disconnection that can be difficult to overcome. 

School districts around the country are still grappling with the school bus driver shortage. Additionally, traditional systems aren’t always equipped to handle the increasing number of students who require specialized transportation, such as those in foster care, students experiencing homelessness, or students with IEPs. Our HopSkipDrive data found a 4,859% increase in rides for students experiencing homelessness under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act and a 2,624% increase in rides for students with an IEP, which mirrors national trends. 

Supplemental Transportation Can Help Louisiana School Districts Combat Chronic Absenteeism

Fortunately, Louisiana education stakeholders recognize that addressing transportation is a core component of their attendance strategy. The passage of SB 160 is a landmark achievement, offering schools new options to supplement their transportation needs. This legislation allows public school boards to contract with student-focused Transportation Network Companies, like HopSkipDrive. 

Supplemental Transportation is Future-Ready Transportation 

This is a game-changer. Supplemental transportation offers a more flexible solution for school districts facing bus driver shortages and for students with specialized transportation needs. Supplemental transportation doesn’t replace traditional yellow school buses, but works with districts to fill transportation gaps. 

The expansion of such services directly addresses the specific and often complex needs of vulnerable students who are more likely to experience chronic absenteeism. By embracing supplemental solutions, school transportation becomes more accessible and reliable, allowing Louisiana schools to remove a significant barrier to attendance and enabling the “Power of Presence” strategy to truly take hold.

How HopSkipDrive Can Help

A partnership with HopSkipDrive offers a practical and effective solution to help combat chronic absenteeism and its adverse effects. By providing a safe, reliable, and flexible transportation option, HopSkipDrive can help Louisiana districts:

• Fill Transportation Gaps: HopSkipDrive’s network of vetted CareDrivers and smaller vehicles can supplement traditional school buses, providing on-demand rides for students in Louisiana.

• Support Students with Diverse Needs: With our recent expansion of services, HopSkipDrive now offers wheelchair-accessible vehicles (WAVs) and rider assistants, ensuring all students can get to school safely.

• Boost Attendance: By removing transportation as a barrier, HopSkipDrive can help students consistently attend school. The Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) partnered with HopSkipDrive and saw a 14 percentage point drop in chronic absenteeism from the 2021–2022 school year to the 2023–2024 school year. Additionally, features like The Daily Absent Rider Email help districts quickly identify and intervene with chronically absent students.