OKCPS Chronic Absenteeism Nears 39%

Lawmakers push for eviction-related fixes to address issue

Mar. 17, 2026 at 5:40am

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According to the Oklahoma Mental Health Association, between 2022 and 2023, nearly 39% of students in the Oklahoma City Public Schools (OKCPS) district were chronically absent. In response, state lawmakers are working on legislative fixes related to evictions that they hope will help address the high absenteeism rates.

Why it matters

Chronic absenteeism is a major issue that can have long-term negative impacts on student achievement and development. High rates of absenteeism in OKCPS, one of the largest school districts in the state, are concerning and indicate broader challenges facing the community that lawmakers are now trying to address.

The details

The Oklahoma Mental Health Association reported that between the 2022-2023 school years, nearly 39% of OKCPS students were chronically absent, meaning they missed 10% or more of the school year. State lawmakers are now pushing for legislative fixes related to evictions, which they believe may be contributing to the high absenteeism rates, as unstable housing situations can make it difficult for students to consistently attend school.

  • Between the 2022-2023 school years, nearly 39% of OKCPS students were chronically absent.

The players

Oklahoma Mental Health Association

A non-profit organization that advocates for mental health policies and services in Oklahoma.

Oklahoma City Public Schools (OKCPS)

The largest school district in Oklahoma, serving over 40,000 students in the Oklahoma City metro area.

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What’s next

State lawmakers are working on legislative fixes related to evictions that they hope will help address the high absenteeism rates in OKCPS.

The takeaway

The high rates of chronic absenteeism in OKCPS highlight the need for comprehensive solutions to address the underlying issues, such as housing instability, that are contributing to students missing significant amounts of school.