Detroit Mayoral Candidates Vow to Address Chronic Absenteeism in City Schools

Strategic Insights -

Detroit, a city with one of the lowest-performing school districts in the country, faces significant challenges in its educational system. The chronic absenteeism rate among students in the Detroit Public Schools Community District is estimated to be around 60%, which is far above state and national averages. The two top contenders for the mayoral position, Mary Sheffield and Solomon Kinloch, have made addressing chronic absenteeism a central part of their campaigns, promising to invest in programs that support student attendance and success.

Key Takeaways:

  • The two top contenders for the Detroit mayoral position, Mary Sheffield and Solomon Kinloch, have both vowed to address chronic absenteeism in city schools, with Sheffield promising to "attack the root causes" of truancy and Kinloch pledging to "prioritize" attendance and set metrics to track progress.
  • According to data from the Detroit Public Schools Community District, about 60% of students were considered chronically absent during the last school year, down from a high of nearly 80% at the height of the pandemic but still far above state and national averages.
  • Charter schools in Detroit have similarly high rates of chronic absenteeism, with around 66% of students missing 10% or more of the school year.
  • Both Sheffield and Kinloch have proposed solutions to address the root causes of truancy, including housing instability, financial need, lack of transportation, and mental health issues.
  • Sheffield has committed to piloting "realistic wraparound services solutions" that include transportation, housing, employment, and childcare supports for students and households with the highest barriers to attendance.
  • Kinloch has proposed appointing a chief educational officer who would work with Detroit school officials to coordinate city services that support student success.

Statistics:

  • 60%: The rate of chronic absenteeism among Detroit Public Schools Community District students during the last school year.
  • 15%: The percentage of students who were considered chronically absent in Detroit's charter schools during the last school year.
  • 18 days: The number of days a student can miss in a school year before being considered chronically absent.
  • 47,465: The number of votes Sheffield received in the primary election, representing 51% of the total vote.
  • 14,893: The number of votes Kinloch received in the primary election, representing 17.4% of the total vote.

Sources:

  • Chalkbeat Detroit. "Detroit mayoral primary: Sheffield, Kinloch lead the pack in education issues." 06 August 2025.
  • Chalkbeat Detroit. "Survey: Sheffield, Kinloch vow to prioritize Detroit schools, address chronic absenteeism." 01 August 2025.
  • Detroit News. "Detroit mayoral hopefuls vow to take action on schools, education." 13 July 2025.
  • Detroit Public Schools Community District. "Attendance Data."
  • State of Michigan. "Attendance and Truancy Laws."