What is the Virgil H. Carr School Attendance Initiative?
United Way’s Virgil H. Carr Society is a leadership giving initiative that engages African American philanthropists in metro Detroit.

In 2007, the group chose to focus on increasing school attendance in response to alarming truancy rates in this region. Their goal is to increase attendance considerably over a five-year period.

To do this, the initiative partners with elementary, middle and high schools to provide extra support to youth who are chronically truant. This includes home visits, parent education, mediation services, and removing barriers to regular attendance.

Why it’s important
Research shows that students who are truant are more likely to have a lower income and engage in criminal activity or substance abuse later in life. With your support, United Way can help more children and parents make attendance a priority and stem these long-term effects of truancy.

Results
During the 2007-2008 school year, 430 students received individual support, and 355 of them showed improved attendance over the course of the year.

The Wayne County Prosecutor’s office operated a Truancy Court Program, and 81 percent of participating students showed improved attendance. This is a huge success for the students because many of them were at risk of being referred to court at the time of their referral to the program.

Through mediation services The Wayne Mediation Center was able to reach agreements in every case that was mediated. The cases involved multiple issues impacting regular on-time school attendance. Over half of the students participating showed a 50 percent improvement in overall attendance.

Partners
Collaborative partners have clearly articulated a joint vision that there is a need for a “holistic approach” that engages schools, youth, parents, and the community in efforts to improve school attendance.

• Communities in Schools of Detroit
• Wayne County Prosecutor’s office
• Wayne Mediation Center
• Children’s Aid Society
• University of Michigan

Participating Schools

• Amelia Earhart School of Technology
• Boynton Pre K-8 School and Performing Arts Academy
• Harms Elementary School
• Mark Twain School and Academy
• Maybury Elementary School
• Mungor Middle School
• O.W. Holmes Elementary School
• Phoenix Middle School
• Priest Elementary School
• Roberto Clemente Learning Academy
• Webster Elementary
• Westside Multicultural Academy