This article uses neoinstitutional theory to comparatively analyze different actors' institutional work with "problematic school absenteeism". Data was generated around four cases, each consisting of absent students and actors who work with absenteeism. The results describe how a dichotomous view of students' well-being and knowledge development is established among actors, fueled by bureaucratic and professional logics that challenge the idea of integrating a concern for students' knowledge development and a care for their well-being.