In the years since COVID-19 forced schools to move instruction online, we've seen a renewed effort to get kids back into the classroom.Chronic absenteeism has doubled since before the pandemic. Now, more than 14 million kids are chronically absent, according to education advocacy nonprofit Attendance Works.And this is happening as schools grapple with the lowest reading and math test scores in decades. We discuss the trend and what it tells us about what's at stake if we don't get kids back to class.Want to support 1A? Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions? Find more shows and information online.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy