CASPER, Wyoming (AP) — An analysis of state attendance data shows Native American students are nearly twice as likely to be chronically absent from school than their peers.

One in every five Wyoming students statewide missed at least 10 percent of the school year in 2012-2013. In comparison, one in three Native American students statewide missed that much school.

National nonprofit Attendance Works spokeswoman Phyllis Jordan says no state has a worse rate of chronic absentees than Wyoming.

Jordan says students who don't attend school regularly are less eager to learn, more likely to fall behind their peers and are at greater risk of dropping out.

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