Miss. Dept. of Education reports 24% drop in total absences during first months of 2026-2027 school year

Miss. Dept.

Key points

• During those months of the 2024-25 school year, there were 1, 012, 946 total absences.
• Of Education reports 24% drop in total absences during first months of 2026-2027 school year.
• Magnolia Tribune visits with former Deputy AG Whitney Lipscomb as she joins Shuwaski Young in the open seat race to succeed two-term Secretary of State Michael Watson.
• Lawmakers, Governor expect higher revenues, adopt $7.8 billion estimated revenue for Fiscal Year 2028.
• Employers created a surprising 165, 000 new jobs last month, and the unemployment rate dipped to 4.1%.

Miss. Dept. Of Education reports 24%.

Miss. Dept. Of Education reports 24% drop in total absences during first months of 2026-2027 school year. By: Jeremy Pittari – November 9, 2026.

Drop in total absences attributed to the passage and implementation of SB 2103.

For context, a new state law on student attendance in public schools is showing promise, authorities stated Monday, with total absences demonstrating declines in the first couple months of the 2026-2027 school year.

According to data published by the Mississippi Department of Education, the total number of absences between the months of August and September last year compared to this year have fallen by 24%.

During those months of the 2024-25 school year, there were 1, 012, 946 total absences. This school year that number came in at 769, 180 total absences, a decline of 243, 766.

Excused and unexcused absences fell by 17% and 29%, respectively, MDE documented.

"We are excited to see absences drop across the state, " House Education Committee Chair Rob Roberson (R) informed Magnolia Tribune. "I congratulate all of the parents who obtain their kids to school and assist to keep unexcused absences down. The real winner in this is our kids."

During the 2026 legislative session, lawmakers passed SB 2103, legislation that put new standards in place intended to ensure more of the state's students are in class during the instructional day. It limits students to a total of 5 excused absences per semester and additionally allows students who are participating in school related functions outside of class to be counted as present.

MDE reports that the new law has resulted in students receiving 1.34 million more instructional hours than the same period in the previous year.

"Mississippi has raised expectations for school attendance, and students, families and schools have proven they can meet those higher expectations, " State Superintendent of Education Dr. Lance Evans. "Regular school attendance is so important because students who are not in school miss valuable instructional time they cannot get back."

Prior to the passage of SB 2103, chronic absenteeism in public school students dropped from a rate of 27.6% in the 2024-25 school year to 26.5% during the 2025-26 school year.

Students who miss 10% of the school year or more are considered chronically absent.

Rep. Roberson informed Magnolia Tribune the new law may be revised in the upcoming 2026 legislative session to address some minor matters, adding that unexcused absences should not be the reason students fall behind in their studies.

"We are aware that the legislation may have had some unintended impact for districts that are struggling with what is acceptable and what is not, " Roberson explained. "The Legislature may look at some of the outcomes that may not be appropriate."

In practice, the bottom line is, Roberson remarked, lawmakers will continue to expect school-age children to be in school.

"It's not fair to the students or teachers to plan instruction and see children fall behind because of unexcused absences, " he continued. Regarding the Author(s).

Jeremy Pittari is a lifelong resident of the Gulf Coast. Born and raised in Slidell, La., he moved to South Mississippi in the early 90s. Jeremy earned an associate in arts from Pearl River Community College and went on to attend the University of Southern Mississippi, where he earned a bachelor's of arts in journalism. A week after Hurricane Katrina, he began an internship as a reporter with the community newspaper in Pearl River County. After graduation, he accepted a full-time position at that news outlet where he covered the recovery process post Katrina in Pearl River and Hancock Counties. For almost 17 years he wrote concerning local administration, education, law enforcement, crime, business and a variety of other topics. Email Jeremy: [email protected].

News Frank Corder November 6, 2026.

Lipscomb, a first-time candidate, notes, "These are not my first fights, " as she launches Secretary of State bid.

Magnolia Tribune visits with former Deputy AG Whitney Lipscomb as she joins Shuwaski Young in the open seat race to succeed two-term Secretary of State Michael Watson. More From This Author. News Jeremy Pittari November 6, 2026.

Reeves announces approval of more than 100 Opportunity Zones under federal tax program. News Jeremy Pittari November 5, 2026. Mississippi lawmakers gather information on kratom as 2027 session nears. News Jeremy Pittari November 4, 2026.

Lawmakers, Governor expect higher revenues, adopt $7.8 billion estimated revenue for Fiscal Year 2028. News Clara Turnage November 9, 2026. Study examines community factors linked to diabetes in the South. News Paul Wiseman, Associated Press November 6, 2026.

U.S. Continues to generate jobs, yet inflation is eroding the spending power of millions of Americans.

U.S. Employers created a surprising 165, 000 new jobs last month, and the unemployment rate dipped to 4.1%. The hiring beat the 65, 000 new jobs forecasters had projected. News Russ Latino November 6, 2026. Thousands of affidavit ballots could decide Mississippi Senate race.

With fewer than 2, 000 votes separating Scott Colom and U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith, questions and reservations are emerging concerning a glut of affidavit ballots. Here's why and what to know if you cast one. News Frank Corder November 9, 2026.

EXCLUSIVE: Shad White running for Governor "to finish the job" of taking on fraud, sending savings back to taxpayers. News Lisa Mascaro, Associated Press November 9, 2026. Congress returns to a changed Washington after GOP's election wipeout. News Magnolia Tribune November 9, 2026. Magnolia Mornings: November 9, 2026. Business Cass Rutledge November 9, 2026. Jabil is hiring more than 300 in Byhalia. Business Meredith Biesinger October 22, 2026. New Albany's claim to cake fame: Sugaree's Bakery. Business Frank Corder October 20, 2026. Fairbanks Morse Defense doubling manufacturing capacity at its Pascagoula facility.

Culture Robert St. John November 9, 2026. Out of my lane and loving it. Culture Alistair Begg November 9, 2026. Culture Chris Burrows, Associated Press November 6, 2026.

No. 2 Georgia and No. 12 Mississippi meet again in a showcase of two of the SEC's best since 2023. Opinion Leah Long November 9, 2026. Shop small this holiday season and offer back to your community. Opinion Russ Latino November 4, 2026.

Democrats took Republicans behind the woodshed. The GOP has only itself to blame. Opinion Sid Salter November 4, 2026.

Like other tax proposals, California voters on Nov. 3 test-drove a tax on billionaires.

For now, miss. Dept. Of Education reports 24% drop in total absences during first remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.