Public Schools

Shortlysts - Detroit Public Schools is expanding a taxpayer-funded attendance program that pays students for completing full weeks of class. High school students can receive $100 per week and collect up to $1,000 in Visa gift cards during the school year. The district is now extending the program to students in grades six through eight, who can earn $50 for each week of perfect attendance.

….District officials contend that regular attendance is closely tied to academic success, with the belief that students who miss 18 or fewer days per year are three to five times more likely to perform at grade level or be prepared for college. The payments, however, are based only on attendance. Students do not have to meet any GPA, test score, or academic improvement requirement.