Committee of the Whole Public Oversight Hearing

COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE NOTICE OF PUBLIC OVERSIGHT HEARING 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20004 CHAIRMAN PHIL MENDELSON COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE ANNOUNCES A PUBLIC OVERSIGHT HEARING on Chronic Absenteeism and Truancy on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, at 2:30 p.m. Hearing Room 412, John A. Wilson Building (Track B) Hearing Room 412 (Track B) John A. Wilson Building 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue NW DC Council Website (www.dccouncil.gov) Council Chairman Phil Mendelson announces a public hearing of the Committee of the Whole on Chronic Absenteeism and Truancy on November 13, 2024, at 2:30 p.m. The purpose of this oversight hearing is to hear from government witnesses, experts, school leaders, teachers, families, advocates, and students about school attendance (absenteeism and truancy) as well as barriers to regular school attendance and how to remove those barriers. In the 2023-2024 school year, 36.9% of DC Public Schools and 41.2% of Public Charter School students were chronically absent, meaning they missed 10% or more school days. Numerous studies have shown chronic absenteeism and truancy have serious consequences for students ranging from falling behind academically to severe increases in the likelihood of dropping out. Moreover, juvenile delinquency strongly correlates with truancy. While schools have a crucial role to play by building relationship-centered learning environments, engaging families, and staging early interventions, they are not alone in the task of promoting student attendance. The Deputy Mayor of Education, the Child and Family Services Agency, Court Social Services, the Office of the State Superintendent of Education, the Department of Human Services, and the Office of the Attorney General all play significant roles in supporting student attendance. The Committee is particularly concerned with strategies to increase student attendance, the efficacy of early warning and support systems, and coordination across government agencies in tackling the dire problem of chronic absenteeism and truancy. This hearing will also serve as an opportunity to learn about the rollout of the DHS truancy intervention pilot, enacted on an emergency basis this summer (Act 25-529). Those who wish to testify must register at http://www.ChairmanMendelson.com/testify by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, November 8, 2024. Testimony is limited to three minutes. Witnesses who anticipate needing spoken language interpretation, or require sign language interpretation, are requested to inform the Committee office of the need as soon as possible but no later than five business days before the proceeding. We will try to fulfill timely requests, although alternatives may be offered. Requests received in less than five business days may not be fulfilled. If you have additional questions, please email bverlin@dccouncil.gov or contact Bijan Verlin, at (202) 724-4865. Public witnesses will participate virtually via the Internet on the Zoom Video Conference platform. Testimony should be submitted through the Council’s Hearing Management System (https://lims.dccouncil.gov/hearings) in advance of the hearing. Testimony will be publicly accessible upon Committee review. If you are unable to testify at the hearing, written statements are encouraged and will be made a part of the official record. Statements for the record should be submitted through the Hearing Management System or left by voicemail by calling (202) 430-6948 (up to 3 minutes which will be transcribed). The record will close at 5:00 pm on Wednesday, November 27, 2024.