School-attendance problems of young children are generally an indication of family dysfunction. The lack of education is a contributing factor to long-term dependence on the welfare system. Michigan will pursue the enactment of the Higher Attendance in Michigan's Schools Act ("Higher AIMS") to encourage
children to stay in school. Parents whose children do not meet the attendance requirements will not receive a deduction for those children on their state income tax. Public assistance recipients will have their monthly grant amounts reduced for each month their children fail to meet attendance requirement.
The need for educated and skilled workers is increasingly important. Those who have a high-school diploma will be more employable and will likely earn 60 percent more than those who do not graduate from high school. The graduation rate for all Michigan students is approximately 75 percent: the rate for those on AFDC is less than 60 percent. Clearly, improving
school attendance will not only provide a more employable work force, but will also reduce dependence on public assistance.
I am urging the legislature to take quick action on the proposed Higher AIMS program to encourage parents to ensure that their children attend school. Parents whose children in grades kindergarten through five do not meet the attendance requirements will receive a deduction for those children on
their state income tax. Public assistance recipients will have their monthly grant amount reduced for each month their children fail to meet the attendance requirements.
Through the cooperative efforts of the Departments of Education, Treasury, and Social Services, parents with school children will be provided with incentives for their children to attend school. Local school districts will monitor a child's attendance and notify the parent when a child begins to have attendance problems. With the help of the local school, a parent can have an immediate impact on the child's behavior. If a child continues
to fail to meet the attendance requirement, the local schools will inform the Department of Education who will share the information with the Departments of Treasury and Social Services.
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