COLUMBUS, Ohio, Mike DeWine on Wednesday announced the launch of a new statewide school attendance dashboard designed to track student absenteeism across Ohio, including in Columbus City Schools and districts throughout Franklin County.
State officials said the dashboard provides publicly accessible data on attendance rates, with a focus on chronic absenteeism — typically defined as students missing 10% or more of the school year.
What the Dashboard Shows
According to the governor’s office, the new tool allows users to view attendance data by school district and compare trends across the state. The dashboard is intended to help educators, policymakers, and families better understand where absenteeism is most prevalent.
Officials said the platform includes metrics on overall attendance rates and chronic absenteeism percentages, updated regularly using data reported by school districts.
Focus on Chronic Absenteeism
State leaders have identified chronic absenteeism as a key issue affecting student performance and long-term outcomes. Ohio has seen elevated absenteeism rates in recent years, consistent with national trends following the COVID-19 pandemic.
DeWine said improving attendance is critical to academic success, noting that students who frequently miss school are more likely to fall behind in reading and math.
Impact on Columbus-Area Schools
The dashboard includes data for Columbus City Schools and other Franklin County districts, allowing local educators and families to track attendance patterns in their communities.
Education officials said the tool may help districts identify problem areas and target interventions, such as family outreach, transportation support, and attendance incentives.
Statewide Education Effort
The dashboard is part of a broader statewide effort to improve student outcomes and increase engagement in classrooms.
Officials have not released additional details on future updates or expansion of the platform.
Sources
- Office of Governor Mike DeWine — Announcement of statewide attendance dashboard, April 16, 2026
- Ohio Department of Education — Attendance data and reporting standards
- Statehouse media briefings and local coverage, April 16, 2026
Last Updated: April 16, 2026 at 15:00 ET
Disclaimer: This article is based on information released by Ohio officials and verified sources at the time of publication. Details may change as additional data and updates are released.