The absentee rate among students continues to rise in New Mexico forcing the state’s Public Education Department to act.

According to a Tuesday KRQE report, parents can expect to be notified if their child is chronically absent, and if the absences continue, the Children Youth and Families Department Juvenile Probation Office may get involved.

Anne Marlow-Geter, the interim director of Safe and Healthy Schools, has watched the absentee rate more than double over the last three years.

“We saw that rate go from 16% in ‘19-‘20 to a 30% chronic absentee (rate) in the ‘20-‘21 school year and then we just saw the higher level data ‘21-‘22 school year across the state where it went to 40% chronic absentee rate on average,” Marlow-Geter told KRQE.

Albuquerque Public Schools and many other school districts will notify parents of absences, KRQE reported. Children are considered chronically absent when they miss more than 10 days of school. If a child has several unexcused absences, the district will consider notifying the Children Youth and Families Department Juvenile Probation Office.

“There are interventions in place and some non-profits and programs that we have in place locally and at the state level to help develop support so that schools can work with the United Way and Engage New Mexico with students who are really struggling with chronic absenteeism,” Marlow-Geter said.

Previously, it was up to the District Attorney’s Office to hold parents accountable when children missed school, according to the report. Now, school districts are trying to solve those problems.