Baltimore city principal Yetunde Reeves says transportation might be contributing to the city’s absentee rates, with some students traveling more than an hour and a half to school.

Of all 24 Maryland jurisdictions, Baltimore City had the highest rate of chronic absenteeism at about 49%.

Chronic absenteeism, when students miss at least 10% of days in school, has risen alarmingly nationwide since the COVID-19 pandemic.