Every day in school matters. That’s why a new expansion of the District’s Truancy Reduction Pilot Program could be welcome news for students and families across Washington, DC.

Mayor Muriel Bowser recently announced that the program will expand to include all DC public and public charter high schools in Wards 7 and 8 during the 2026–27 school year. The expansion follows two years of promising results, including a 64% reduction in repeat truancy among students who participated in the program’s first year.

Launched in August 2024, the pilot takes a different approach to addressing truancy. Rather than referring students to child welfare agencies or the courts, the program connects families with personalized support to address challenges that may prevent students from attending school regularly.

Through the Department of Human Services (DHS), participating families can access case management, mentoring, tutoring, mental health resources, and other services designed to help students succeed.

“Every student deserves the opportunity to show up, engage, and thrive in school,” said Dr. Michelle Walker-Davis, Executive Director of the DC Public Charter School Board. “This expansion recognizes that improving attendance requires more than identifying a problem. It requires understanding the challenges families face and working together to remove barriers. We’re pleased that public charter schools are part of this important effort.”

The expanded program will focus primarily on ninth and tenth graders, recognizing the importance of building strong attendance habits during the transition to high school.

For DC PCSB, the initiative reinforces the importance of collaboration among schools, families, and District agencies to support student success. Because when students are in school, they’re not just building academic skills. They’re building relationships, discovering opportunities, and preparing for their futures.

Families can learn more about the program and review the Year 2 Final Report.