D.C. Council Bills Seek to Address Chronic Absenteeism and Truancy

D. C. Council members proposed four bills to tackle the rising issues of chronic absenteeism and truancy in schools. Taniya Bowling, who testified about her experiences as a caregiver, noted that many students do not have the support needed to attend school. A report from the Office of the State Superintendent of Education indicated that 43% of K-12 students were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, with high schoolers particularly affected at a rate of 60%.

Councilmember Charles Allen pointed to various reasons for absenteeism, including family obligations and neighborhood violence. The proposed legislation aims to publish monthly absenteeism data, expand valid excuses for absences, and allocate additional funding for interventions. Council Chair Phil Mendelson stressed the link between school attendance and public safety, while Mayor Bowser's bill to shift truancy responsibilities to the Department of Human Services raised questions about the agency's capacity. DHS Director Laura Zeilinger defended the department's ability to handle the additional responsibilities, proposing a pilot program for high school students involved in violent crime. Eduardo Ferrer from Georgetown's Juvenile Justice Initiative supported the shift, arguing that the child welfare system is often seen as punitive, which undermines trust.