CHAIRMAN PHIL MENDELSON AND COUNCILMEMBER DAVID CATANIA ANNOUNCE A JOINT PUBLIC OVERSIGHT HEARING

Truancy Reduction in the D.C. Public School System

Council Chairman Phil Mendelson and Councilmember David Catania announce the scheduling of a Joint Public Oversight Hearing of the Committee of the Whole and the Committee on Education to discuss truancy reduction in the District of Columbia Public Education System.  The public oversight hearing is scheduled for Thursday, October 10, 2013 at 10:00 a.m., in hearing room 412 of the John A. Wilson Building.

The purpose of this public oversight hearing is to hear testimony regarding the progress of DCPS and supporting agencies in responding to the problem of truancy, and to ascertain what the government plans to do this upcoming school year (2013-2014) to reduce truancy.  Experience shows that many of the District’s students with high rates of truancy will never finish school and, as a result, will most likely struggle to be productive adults.  Similar hearings were held on February 28, 2013 and June 24, 2013, and the Committees will continue to hold these oversight hearings.

Those who wish to testify are asked to telephone the Committee of the Whole, at (202) 724-8196, or e-mail Renee Johnson, Legislative Assistant, at rjohnson@dccouncil.us and provide their name, address, telephone number, and organizational affiliation, if any, by the close of business Tuesday, October 8, 2013.  Persons wishing to testify are encouraged, but not required, to submit 15 copies of written testimony.  If submitted by the close of business on October 8, 2013, the testimony will be distributed to Councilmembers before the hearing.  Witnesses should limit their testimony to five minutes; less time will be allowed if there are a large number of witnesses.

If you are unable to testify at the hearing, written statements are encouraged and will be made a part of the official record.  Copies of written statements should be submitted to the Committee of the Whole, Council of the District of Columbia, Suite 410 of the John A. Wilson Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20004.  The record will close at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 24, 2013.