Missing School, Falling Behind
How Michigan's struggles with chronic absenteeism undermine education.
With initiatives targeted at specific schools, neighborhoods, or family needs, they’re chipping away at a problem that has long undermined efforts to improve student achievement.
A coalition called Every School Day Counts has been at it since 2012.
Nearly a third of students missed too much school in the latest school year.
Proposal would let school officials request a transfer to a neighborhood school if family outreach efforts don’t work.
Now district officials are considering punitive policies against severe absenteeism, such as making students repeat a grade.
Limited access to school buses and an unreliable transit system make it tougher for students to get to class.
The options vary based on where you live and which school the student attends.
Families typically try their best to get kids to school, interviews with parents and researchers show. If you know why absenteeism remains high, we want to hear your story.