This story was originally published by Chalkbeat. Sign up for their newsletters at ckbe.at/newsletters
In an effort to combat chronic absenteeism, Detroit Public Schools Community District is rolling out strategies that include financial incentives and grade retention policies. These measures aim to motivate students to attend school regularly and address a persistent challenge in the district.
The district has introduced a program offering high school students the opportunity to earn up to $1,000 through gift cards for perfect attendance. This initiative is part of a broader strategy that has been in place for several years, focusing on improving attendance rates through a network of attendance agents who collaborate with families to address absenteeism. While these efforts have led to some progress, with the rate of chronic absenteeism decreasing from nearly 80% during the pandemic to 66% in the 2023-24 school year, the numbers remain high.
Attendance Incentives and Retention Policies
The “Perfect Attendance Pays” program was launched this month, allowing students to earn a $200 gift card for each two-week period they maintain perfect attendance. The program runs through five specific periods, with the potential to accumulate up to $1,000. Students must attend all classes each day to qualify. Additionally, the district’s new promotion policy could require students in grades K-8 who miss 45 or more days to repeat the year, while high school students missing 23 or more days of any course may need credit recovery.
These measures aren’t new, but their effectiveness is debated. Experts point out that they might overlook significant barriers to attendance, such as poverty-related challenges. Superintendent Nikolai Vitti emphasized the importance of consistent attendance for academic success, stating, “When District students miss less than 18 days of school in our District, they are 3 to 5 times more likely to be at and above grade level in reading and math and to be college ready as defined by the SAT.”
Mixed Reactions to Financial Incentives
The initiative has garnered positive feedback from some students. Raymond Kennedy, a senior at Davis Aerospace Technical High School, expressed excitement, saying, “It will get a lot of people to come to school.” However, studies indicate that attendance incentives may have minimal impact. A report by the Detroit Partnership for Education Equity and Research found that such incentives often do not address the underlying issues causing absenteeism.
A Broader National Challenge
Chronic absenteeism remains a significant issue across the U.S., exacerbated by the pandemic. Hedy Chang, executive director of Attendance Works, noted the ongoing struggle to convey the importance of daily attendance, especially post-pandemic. She highlighted the need for interventions that address the core reasons behind absenteeism.
For more on this topic, visit the Chalkbeat article and learn about similar strategies in other districts, such as Oakland Unified School District’s approach.
