The Detroit Public Schools Community District has an attendance problem, which they are attempting to address head on in a variety of ways to help ensure student success despite pandemic-related challenges.
The current total enrollment for DPSCD students is 48,888 with 48,500 attending.
“We are down 300 [students] who are enrolled but not coming to school,” DPSCD spokesperson Chrystal Wilson confirmed for the Michigan Chronicle, adding that there are also general challenges with “consistent student attendance.”
With the current average daily attendance at 82 percent — compared to 75 percent last year — and 86 percent before the pandemic, there is, roughly, a four percent decrease in the last couple of years.
“We were seeing a steady decrease in absenteeism pre-pandemic,” Wilson said, adding that steps are being taken to find the solution. “We are continuing to provide support to families through attendance agents, culture facilitators, deans of culture and canvassing, going out to families; door knocking to ensure they are okay and address any needs they may have [that] prevented them from attending school.”
DPSCD Superintendent Nikolai P. Vitti said during a November 9 school board meeting that student absenteeism is a problem and the school district’s “greatest challenge,” especially with online learning.
There are about 2,000 students in the DPSCD virtual schools’ space and 300 students of that portion who have not regularly attended.
“This goes back to the challenge last year of online learning,” Vitti said, adding that the students and their families will receive a home visit to make sure everything is okay with their electronic connectivity and more.
“If they do not consistently start to log in in the second quarter then those students will be required to go in in January because they are just not thriving and succeeding in a virtual school environment,” Vitti said, also breaking down some of the student attendance numbers.
A student is considered chronically absent in the state if they miss 10 percent or more days of school.
Daily attendance for the school district is 82 percent as of early November.
“Last year at this time our average daily attendance was average 75 percent,” he said adding that while that is an improvement from last year because of the online shift but it’s still down from two years ago – at 86 percent. “What we’re seeing is the lagging impact of the pandemic.”
Vitti added that chronic absenteeism (missing 18 days of school) includes 57 percent of students. Two years ago, only 45 percent were chronically absent.
“What’s also influencing these numbers is quarantining,” Vitti said. “We know that when a student is in close contact with someone who tests positive [for COVID-19], that student has to quarantine [between] five to 10 days. This is exacerbating our attendance issue. Unless we move to greater rates of vaccination, or the health department changes its policy regarding quarantining … we’re going to continue to be challenged by attendance. These are things we’ll talk about throughout this year.”
Wilson said that addressing the problem is not something that is a one-size-fits all solution.
“The core of the problem is poverty, and the pandemic has exacerbated systemic issues related to an urban community going through a global pandemic,” Vitti said. “Parents and families who are in need of support and require resources, are encouraged to reach out to the district for support.”
“We will continue to support our families and staff as we navigate through the pandemic with a goal to leverage the availability of the vaccine for those who are age five and older to get students back into in-person learning,” Wilson said.
Vitti echoed Wilson’s thoughts in a school district community letter by thanking the school district for its ongoing commitment despite challenges, especially with COVID-19.
“Returning to in-person learning has not been easy but it has been in the best interest of students. With the recent vaccine approval for children ages five to 11, the district will move forward with greater consideration of vaccine requirements for employees and students,” Vitti said. “Inevitably, this is the best way to ensure everyone’s safety and the need to create reliable learning schedules and patterns for students despite the ongoing and forever presence of COVID.”
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