Detroit Public Schools Community District is bringing back its "Perfect Attendance Pays" programme for the 2026-27 school year, giving high-school students a chance to earn $100 for each qualifying period of perfect attendance. The programme is also being expanded to students in grades 6-8, who can receive $50 for a qualifying period. The initiative comes as Detroit continues to grapple with high levels of chronic absenteeism and is part of a wider effort to encourage students to attend school regularly. During the previous programme, about 12,800 high-school students received at least one $100 Visa gift card. The district is now extending the incentive to younger students while also investing in transportation, attendance staff and other support aimed at getting more students into classrooms consistently.
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