South Carolina Schools Launch $25 Weekly Incentive Program to Boost Student Attendance

A new incentive program in South Carolina aims to combat student absenteeism by providing weekly payments to families for perfect attendance.

Launched on March 10, the Charleston County School District is offering $25 per week to at least 1,900 students across ten selected schools until May 16.

Payments are issued via a restricted debit card that can only be used for necessities like gas, food, and utilities.

Eligible families can register through an app, and each student in a household can receive their own payment.

The initiative targets all students in designated grades regardless of previous attendance records.

Initial funding for the program is approximately $30,800, with potential total costs reaching around $400,000 if all eligible students participate.

The district reported a notable increase in attendance rates within weeks of the program’s start, addressing concerns about the link between absenteeism and achievement gaps among students of color.

After May 16, the district will evaluate the program’s impact on attendance and academic performance.

The funding comes from the Weighted Student Funding Formula, with unspent funds returning to the budget at the end of June.

Incentive program paying some families $25 each week for perfect school attendance