Maryland reports declining public school enrollment and attendance rates amid demographic shifts

The Maryland State Board of Education convened on January 24, 2023, to discuss key trends in student enrollment and attendance across the state. The meeting highlighted significant shifts in public and non-public school enrollment, attendance rates, and the demographic composition of students.

The session began with a presentation on a 10-year trend in student enrollment, revealing a 3% increase overall. However, a closer look at the three-year trend, which predates the pandemic, showed a decline of 2%. Notably, non-public school enrollment has seen a slight increase, with 128,000 students enrolled, alongside a rise in homeschooling by a few thousand students.

The board examined enrollment data by grade level, noting a decrease in elementary and middle school enrollments, while high school enrollments have increased. The five largest school districts—Montgomery, Prince George's, Baltimore County, Anne Arundel, and Baltimore City—continue to account for the majority of student enrollments.

Demographic trends indicated a decrease in the percentage of white students from 36% to approximately 32-33%, while Hispanic and Latino student enrollment rose from 18% to 22% since 2019. Additionally, the number of economically disadvantaged students has peaked, attributed to the inclusion of Medicaid data in eligibility determinations for free meal benefits.

Attendance data was another focal point of the meeting. The board reported a decrease in Maryland's attendance rate by 2.4 percentage points from pre-pandemic levels, with an overall decline of 3.3 percentage points over the past decade. Attendance rates varied by grade level, with elementary schools showing the highest rates but also experiencing a decline from 94.8% in 2019 to 92.2% in 2022.

The board noted that all racial and ethnic groups experienced declines in attendance, with Black or African American students facing the most significant drop of 3.1%. The meeting concluded with discussions on policy changes related to chronic absenteeism, emphasizing the need for adjustments following a notable increase in absenteeism rates.

Overall, the meeting underscored the ongoing challenges in student enrollment and attendance in Maryland, with implications for future educational policies and support systems. The board plans to continue monitoring these trends and their impact on educational outcomes.