Teachers at some schools across the country report that less than half of their students are participating in online learning.

Daniel Gonzalez Rosas, 17, outside of his shuttered school, the Maywood Center for Enriched Studies in Los Angeles County. Daniel said that only about half of his classmates join video conference calls for class. “Most are under the impression that school is optional given the circumstances we are in,” he said.Credit…David Walter Banks for The New York Times

Chronic absenteeism is a problem in American education during the best of times, but now, with the vast majority of the nation’s school buildings closed and lessons being conducted remotely, more students than ever are missing class — not logging on, not checking in or not completing assignments.