HD48 - Plan of Truancy Prevention and Reduction for the Pilot Program in the City of Richmond


Executive Summary:
The 2005 General Assembly funded a pilot project in the City of Richmond to address truancy and school attendance. Item 146, 7.e.3c of the Appropriation Act calls for the City of Richmond and the Department of Education to develop a plan for project implementation, to include objectives, analysis of data to identify targeted schools, and the detailed actions to betaken to reduce truancy and absenteeism in these schools. On behalf of the City of Richmond and our agency, I have enclosed the pilot project plan.

The City of Richmond Truancy Reduction and Prevention Program will create accountability for student attendance by school personnel, compliance by parents with the compulsory attendance law, and reporting of truants by the community. The pilot will promote high standards and expectations for school attendance through a public awareness campaign and aggressive monitoring of truant behavior, enforcement of the law, and responsive and timely actions and services. A key strategy of the plan is community-based support to truants and their families.

Department of Education staff have discussed and reviewed the plan with city officials. Mayor Wilder approved the plan on May 23, 2005. Full implementation of the pilot is scheduled to begin by August 1, 2005.