DETROIT – Detroit Public Schools is implementing new changes to its attendance policy this year.
READ: DPS' new attendance policies
District's new '3-6-9' approach
- Upon three (3) unexcused absences, a phone call will be made to the homeroom and to the student's home.
- Upon the occurrence of a sixth (6th) unexcused absence in the school year, the student shall be referred to an Attendance Agent for intervention strategies.
- Any DPS student having more than nine (9) unexcused absences per school year will face a Truancy referral to the Attendance Department.
- The case will then be processed and forwarded to the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office.
- Three (3) instances of tardiness, of more than 15 minutes after the start of class, is the equivalent of one unexcused absence.
The new attendance policy also lays out what is deemed as "excused," the academic penalties of poor attendance, and attendance information specific to each grade level. Parents will begin receiving handbooks this month with the new strict enforcements.
"As a district, we cannot stress enough to parents and students the importance of good attendance -- being in school regularly and prepared to learn," said Karen Ridgeway, superintendent of academics. "Through our new Strategic Plan, we've renewed our commitment to supporting the needs of all families by listening closely to what our parents have said is necessary in order for their children to have a successful, well-rounded educational experience. But in order to truly achieve our mission to provide a high-quality education to all students, we need help from our parents in ensuring students are at school on time, every single day."