Education Reform Now Advocacy DC Testifies at Public Hearing on Chronic Absenteeism and Truancy
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Cesar Toledo, Cesar@edreformnow.org
Washington, D.C. (June 26, 2024) — Today, Jessica Giles, executive director at Education Reform Now Advocacy DC (ERNA DC), testified at the DC Council Committee of the Whole public hearing related to four separate bills addressing chronic absenteeism and truancy in DC schools, a crisis that significantly hampers students ability to learn.
"All year long we’ve been sounding the alarm about our attendance crisis and we’ve named it the number one issue facing our public school system, ”said Jessica Giles, executive director of Education Reform Now Advocacy DC.
“While we've seen a slight improvement in attendance rates, nearly half of our students still miss critical educational opportunities. Our testimony emphasized the need for robust legislative action and systemic enhancements to accurately report and effectively address absenteeism. We urged the DC Council to implement more frequent and detailed attendance reporting, strengthen our referral processes, and invest in proven interventions that support our students and families. Only through a coordinated, community-wide effort and strong legislative support can we ensure that all our students have the opportunity to attend school consistently and thrive."
The bills under consideration are Bill 25-740 Truancy Reduction for Student Success Act of 2024, Bill 25-754 Chronic Absenteeism and Truancy Reduction Amendment Act of 2024, Bill 25-758 Showing Up for Students Amendment Act of 2024, and Bill 25-791 Utilizing Partnerships, Local Interventions for Truancy and Safety (UPLIFT) Amendment Act of 2024.
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About Education Reform Now Advocacy
ERNA DC is a non-profit, non-partisan think tank and advocacy organization fighting for a just and equitable public education system for all students in Washington, DC. We seek progress in DC Public Schools and public charter schools by developing and advocating for systemic change to eliminate racial inequity and discrimination.
