Bill > B26-0276

This bill establishes a temporary truancy pilot program in the District of Columbia targeting secondary schools with high truancy rates. The Mayor will identify 5 secondary educational institutions with a truancy rate over 50% in the 2023-2024 school year to participate in a pilot with the Department of Human Services (DHS) during the 2024-2025 school year. These schools must refer students aged 14-17 to DHS within 2 school days of accumulating 15 unexcused full-day absences. DHS is required to publish two reports (a preliminary report by March 31, 2025, and a final report by August 15, 2025) analyzing the interventions, common reasons for absences, and comparing student attendance, academic performance, and delinquency status before and after DHS referral. The reports will also compare participating schools with similar non-participating schools. In this context, "delinquency status" specifically means whether a student was arrested during the analyzed period. The participating schools will be exempt from existing truancy requirements for students in the 14-17 age range. The bill is temporary, set to expire 225 days after taking effect, and aims to develop strategies for reducing student truancy by providing targeted interventions and comprehensive data analysis.

https://lims.dccouncil.gov/Legislation/B26-0276