Detroit schools pay students up to $1,000 for perfect attendance
Jan 10
Developing
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Detroit Public Schools Community District has relaunched a Winter 2026 'Perfect Attendance Pays' program that offers high school students $100 gift cards for each week of perfect attendance from Jan. 5 to March 20, up to a total of $1,000, as the district battles chronic absenteeism rates above 60%. District officials cite research showing students who miss 18 or fewer days per year are three to five times more likely to be on grade level and college-ready, and are using the cash incentives to keep students in class during winter months when attendance traditionally drops.
K-12 Education Policy
Post-COVID School Attendance