By Sharneisha Morris and Isis Givans Staff Writers
Detroit Public Schools is striving to increase the number of students attending classes daily by introducing and enforcing s the 3-6-9 policy this year.
This new attendance policy works in a series of stages:
After three days of consecutive unexcused absences, the student’s parent/guardian will be notified by a counselor. At six days, both student and parent will be summoned to meet with an attendance agent for a face-to-face meeting after nine days, the student is labeled a candidate for potential failure and then must stand before Wayne County Commissioner.
The policy falls under the DPS district’s five-year strategy plan to improve schools.
“As a district, we cannot stress enough to parents and students the importance of good attendance, being in school regularly, and being prepared to learn,” Karen Ridgeway, the DPS’s superintendent of academics, said in a press release.
This policy also defines what is deemed for an excuse. 3-6-9 policy also provides a standardized and constant district-wide policy for better enforcement.
However, not all students are thrilled about this policy.
“I don’t like the idea,” Communication & Media Arts student Rhondee Palmer. “It doesn’t seem fair in being referred to Wayne County Commissioner is too much.”
However school administrators are embracing this plan.
“The number of truant students has an impact on graduation rates. But so far, our attendance has been great,” CMA principal Donya Odom said.
This policy is currently being enforced by all teachers at CMA.
