Posted on 11/06/2013 2:05:17 PM PST by MichCapCon
The average high school student in Detroit Public Schools missed, on average, 46 days of school in 2011-12, according to the head of the Detroit teachers' union.
"That isn't a figure I made up," said Detroit Federation of Teachers AFT Local 231 President Keith Johnson. "That's documented."
Johnson cited the statistic while discussing the problems teachers face while being evaluated when students are not coming to class. He said he saw the statistic in a school district report but did not have a copy of the report.
Detroit Public School Spokespeople Jennifer Mrozowski and Steven Wasko didn't return requests for comment.
The Detroit Free Press reported recently that the Detroit Public Schools has a new attendance policy that could result in a parent being prosecuted after nine unexcused absences for their child.
Johnson said all the new policy does is alert parents, the police and the county prosecutor's office about students who are chronically absent from class.
"OK. big deal," Johnson said. "It doesnt have any teeth."
Johnson said he'd like to see parents of chronically truant students have their food stamp debit card, known as a Bridge Card, taken away or the amount of the benefit reduced.
Leon Drolet, chairman of the Michigan Taxpayers Alliance, said the school district must provide a safe environment and parents must get their children to class.
"It's a failure of adults on all sides," Drolet said.
They are just trying to learn how to be president of the United States. Take lots of time off from your responsibilities and maximize your recreation time.
No, it's a failure of the parents. The teachers can't teach a kid that isn't there.
Good, that means he only wasted 134.
Starvation to enforce Leftist economics (schools get tax dollars based on attendance)... the Liberals in the US are trotting out every historical lethal Communist control they can think of lately!!
Less indoctrination, so what’s the problem.
Why are Urban schools failing? Why are urban Governments failing? Why do we have to continue to ask these questions when we know the answer?
Okay, we have the mean. What are the median and mode? Averages can be skewed by one student missing nearly all the days and a bunch of students missing only a few.
Don’t confuse us with facts - we’re on a roll.
Though there are those teachers who really do care. And students who will remember that they did. I know it almost never seems that way. But it is true, and should be celebrated. All the more in that it so seldom is.
“Average Detroit High School Student Missed 46 Days of School Last Year”
Aren’t most Detroit students getting 3 free meals a day at school, courtesy of taxpayers?
Where are they eating those other 46 days? Do the Detroit school officials not “care about the kids”? They should drag the truants in and make them eat the government cheese.
I've seen too many kids without dads in their lives. Here we have a dad who loves his son and is good for him, but some judge is going to sever that completely for a few days of government schooling. Maybe the absenteeism needs to be addressed, but it isn't worth promoting more fatherless children.
I’ll take Democrats for 500 Alex...
I think we need a federal program to deliver those school meals when the kids aren't there. We'll do it "for the children". Can I get a big amen?
And those were the smart ones.
I don’t know why but this figure is absolutely stunning to me.
46 out of how many?
46 out of 46 = one conclusion
46 out of 365 = different conclusion
please supply the relevant facts
Sad story. I’m a child of divorce, myself, and nothing good comes of it.
How do you miss 46 days and pass?
I assume the average kid actually passed.
I could be really dumb for that.
That's not going to happen either.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.