Schools are meant to be a place of learning, growth, and opportunity for students. However, for many students in Detroit, chronic absenteeism has become a major problem. According to two researchers who studied the Detroit school system for seven years, schools were not designed to solve this issue.
Chronic absenteeism refers to students who miss 10% or more of the school year, which is equivalent to 18 days or more. This may not seem like a significant number, but it adds up to a lot of missed instruction time. In Detroit, chronic absenteeism is a widespread problem, with nearly half of all students being chronically absent at some point during their school years.
The two researchers, Dr. Sarah Lenhoff and Dr. Kevin Gee, have been studying the Detroit school system since 2012. They have found that chronic absenteeism is not just a problem in Detroit, but it is a nationwide issue. In fact, the United States Department of Education reports that 6.8 million students were chronically absent in the 2015-2016 school year.
So why are so many students missing school? The reasons vary, but some common factors include health issues, transportation problems, and family responsibilities. In Detroit, many students come from low-income families, making it difficult for them to afford transportation to school. They may also have to take on responsibilities at home, such as caring for younger siblings or working to help support their families.
But the researchers also found that the school system itself plays a role in chronic absenteeism. Dr. Lenhoff and Dr. Gee explain that schools were not designed to address this issue. Attendance policies and interventions are often punitive, focusing on punishing students for missing school rather than addressing the root causes of their absences.
This approach is not effective in solving the problem of chronic absenteeism. In fact, it can often make the issue worse. Punishing students for missing school can lead to disengagement and further absences. It also does not address the underlying issues that may be causing students to miss school in the first place.
So what can be done to address chronic absenteeism in Detroit and across the country? Dr. Lenhoff and Dr. Gee suggest a more holistic approach that focuses on prevention rather than punishment. This includes addressing the root causes of absenteeism, such as providing transportation assistance and addressing health issues. It also involves creating a positive school culture that encourages and supports students to attend school regularly.
The researchers also stress the importance of involving the community in finding solutions. Schools cannot solve this issue alone. It requires collaboration between schools, families, and community organizations to address the complex factors that contribute to chronic absenteeism.
In Detroit, there have been efforts to address this issue. The Detroit Public Schools Community District has implemented a program called “Every Day Counts” which focuses on improving attendance through positive reinforcement and support for students and families. This program has shown promising results, with a 4% decrease in chronic absenteeism in the first year of implementation.
But there is still a long way to go. Dr. Lenhoff and Dr. Gee emphasize that addressing chronic absenteeism requires a long-term commitment from all stakeholders. It also requires a shift in mindset, from punishment to prevention and support.
Schools were not designed to solve a problem like chronic absenteeism, but that does not mean it cannot be addressed. With the right approach and collaboration, we can create a school system that supports and encourages all students to attend school regularly. Every student deserves the opportunity to learn and succeed, and it is up to all of us to make that a reality.
