The Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) is expanding its "Perfect Attendance Pays" incentive program to include middle school students, offering gift cards for perfect attendance after the initiative successfully reduced chronic absenteeism among high schoolers. The program, now in its second year, targets the winter months when attendance typically declines.
Under the expanded program for the 2026–27 school year, parents of middle school students with perfect attendance during each five-day cycle will receive a $50 gift card. High school students can continue to earn up to $1,000 in gift cards or cash equivalents for perfect attendance throughout the season.
District officials stated that the incentives are funded through interest generated from funds awaiting facility projects, not taxpayer money or state educational aid. Federal and state revenue are not used for the incentive, and it is not offered on fall or spring count days.
Detroit Public Schools has been struggling with high rates of chronic absenteeism, reporting a 60.9% rate for the 2024–25 school year. Chronic absenteeism is defined as missing 10% or more of the school year, which amounts to 18 or more days in a standard 180-day calendar.
According to district officials, the incentive program has shown positive results. High school chronic absenteeism declined by 7 percentage points two years ago when the program was first introduced, with an additional 2 percentage point decrease last year. The district also attributes the program to its ranking in the 90th percentile nationally for reducing chronic absenteeism post-pandemic, based on data from the Education Recovery Scorecard by Harvard and Stanford.
District promotional materials emphasize the importance of consistent attendance, noting that students who miss 18 or fewer days per year are three to five times more likely to perform at or above grade level. The district encourages families to support students in taking advantage of resources and overcoming barriers to regular school attendance.
Like many school districts nationwide grappling with attendance challenges following the pandemic, DPSCD is experimenting with direct financial incentives and other strategies to encourage students to return to the classroom.