Article Summary –
Improvement in Michigan School Attendance
The Michigan Department of Education reported that the 2023-2024 academic year saw an increase in school attendance rates to 90.8% and a decrease in chronic absenteeism to 29.5%, marking the second consecutive year of improvement. Despite this progress, chronic absenteeism remains particularly high among economically disadvantaged students at 40.1%, though it has also seen declines. Efforts to improve attendance have included a variety of strategies such as parental engagement, mental health support, and direct outreach, all aimed at enhancing student experiences and graduation rates.
School attendance and absenteeism rates improved in Michigan public schools last year, per data from the Michigan Department of Education.
In September, the agency announced that the 2023-2024 school year marked the second consecutive year of increased attendance and decreased chronic absenteeism.
The statewide attendance rate for K-12 students rose from 90.5% in 2022-2023 to 90.8% last year; chronic absenteeism fell from 30.8% to 29.5%.
In 2021-2022, the attendance rate was 88.8%, and chronic absenteeism was at 38.5%.
Chronic absenteeism is defined as missing 10% or more of the school year, roughly two school days per month.
The drop in chronic absenteeism between 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 was the largest among the District of Columbia and the 42 states tracking absenteeism, as found by the FutureEd think tank at Georgetown University. However, the current rate is still higher than the 2018 rate of 20%.
Chronic absenteeism decreased across all grades and most racial and ethnic groups. It remains highest among economically disadvantaged students at 40.1%, despite a 1.7% drop in 2023-2024 and an 8.6% decrease in 2021-2022.
Improving attendance is crucial to the state’s goal of raising high school graduation rates.
“We must continue to improve attendance to strongly address Goal 5 of Michigan’s Top 10 Strategic Education Plan, to increase the percentage of students who graduate from high school,” said Delsa Chapman, deputy superintendent of the Department of Education’s Division of Assessment, School Improvement, and Systems Support. “Credit for the improvements in attendance goes to our local school districts.”
Goals include enhancing early childhood literacy, increasing adults with post-secondary credentials, and boosting certified teachers in shortage areas.
Local districts have implemented various strategies to improve attendance, including parental calls, family conferences, mental health interventions, and door-to-door outreach.
“Efforts by Michigan school staff, students, and parents continue to help improve attendance and reduce chronic absenteeism,” State Superintendent Michael Rice said. “Our students need to attend school regularly to maximize their school experiences. Despite our progress, far too many students are chronically absent. We need to work together to redouble our efforts and remove barriers to school attendance.”
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