Detroit Schools Propose Bicycle Initiative to Tackle Absenteeism

Detroit

The Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) is considering an innovative approach to combat chronic absenteeism by providing bicycles to students. This initiative, put forward by Superintendent Nikolai Vitti, aims to address transportation issues that hinder students from getting to school regularly, especially for those who are not eligible for existing incentives like gift cards.

Interviews conducted with high school students who have been chronically absent revealed that many feel having a bicycle would significantly aid their ability to travel to and from school. As part of this initiative, Board Vice President LaTrice McClendon highlighted that there is a warehouse containing unused bicycles that could be repurposed for this new attendance incentive program. These bicycles have been idle for two to three years, providing a potentially valuable resource for the district.

Superintendent Vitti announced that a comprehensive report detailing the reasons for chronic absenteeism will be released soon, based on findings from student interviews. The DPSCD has made progress in improving attendance rates, with average daily attendance rising from 82% for the 2023-24 school year to 84% for the 2024-25 school year. Notably, the chronic absenteeism rate within the district has decreased from 70% to 60% for the current school year.

Despite these improvements, DPSCD is part of a larger trend observed across Michigan, where the overall rate of chronic absenteeism has increased from 20% to 30% since 2017. Transportation challenges play a significant role in this situation, particularly as one-third of Detroit households do not own a car, coupled with limited bus services available for high school students.

To enhance transportation options, DPSCD will introduce a new pilot program offering yellow school buses for students attending specific high schools starting in the upcoming fall semester. This move aims to alleviate some of the transportation barriers students face and further improve attendance rates.

Research has shown that providing bicycles as attendance incentives can yield positive results. Other districts across the United States, such as Volusia County Schools in Florida and Carson City School District in Nevada, have successfully implemented similar bike distribution programs that have proven effective in reducing absenteeism.

In addition to the bike initiative, DPSCD board member Ida Simmons-Short suggested that a parent survey be conducted to delve deeper into the factors contributing to absenteeism. Parents should have an opportunity to express their concerns, especially regarding transportation, which poses a significant barrier for many families.

Chronic absenteeism is defined in Michigan as missing 10% (approximately 18 days) or more of school days during the academic year. This issue has become a critical point of discussion as schools work to recover from the lasting impacts of the pandemic on student attendance and engagement.

The strategy to provide bicycles is a proactive effort by the DPSCD to address the evolving challenges of chronic absenteeism while exploring solutions that promote student wellness and accessibility. As the pilot program progresses, stakeholders will be monitoring its effectiveness in improving overall attendance and, by extension, student success.