WASHINGTON (7News) — Parents, residents, and community leaders in D.C.’s Ward 8 gathered for a roundtable discussion on truancy and chronic absenteeism plaguing D.C. Public Schools, which public safety leaders have pointed to as a major reason for spikes in juvenile crime.
Truancy is defined as a student with 10 or more unexcused absences during the school year, with or without parental knowledge or consent. Chronic absenteeism occurs when students miss 10 % or more of the school year, both excused and unexcused absences.
“School is school. You’re supposed to be there in the morning,” said ANC Commissioner Tom Donohue during the discussion period…