Truancy-Prevention Program Helps D.C. Kids Stay in School

A new study shows a voluntary truancy-prevention program in the District of Columbia is continuing to keep students in school.

The study was released Thursday. It shows that 71 percent of children who were referred to the program last school year ended up improving their attendance.

Children are referred to the program if they have five or more unexcused absences from school. More than 3,100 students at 58 elementary and middle schools participated last school year.

The program is known as Show Up, Stand Out. It's funded by the D.C. Justice Grants Administration and is meant to combat the longstanding problem of truancy by District students. Three years ago, more than one in five District students had more than 10 unexcused absences from school.