Watch CBS News

Detroit Schools Report Great Turnout First 2 Days

DETROIT (WWJ) - If the first couple of days are any indication, attendance at Detroit Public Schools is at an all-time high.

That's according an upbeat DPS Emergency Manager Roy Roberts who addressed reporters on Thursday.

"It's my honor to announce that Detroit Public Schools reached nearly 85 percent attendance on the second day of the school year, which is unprecedented," said Roberts. "These attendance marks outpace recent years when the district reached the  required 75 percent of minimum attendance for full state aid purposes in the second and third week of school."

Roberts credited members of the faith community who stepped up to help.

"In addition to numerous churches allowing representatives of the district to speak to their congregations, more than 50 ministers wives were in attendance on the opening day of school," he said. "And they weren't there just to welcome kids on the first day -- they're there to welcome them and work with them the whole year."

Roberts  said the work is just beginning said a joint effort is needed to keep students in class the entire schools year.

He said parents of kids who don't attend class will get daily automated notifications.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.