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Wednesday, September 18, 2019

With More Student Absences, State’s Attorney Says Truancy Prevention Needs Extra Funding

Montgomery County State’s Attorney John McCarthy on Monday criticized high numbers of student absences from local schools. He told members of a County Council committee that more funding for truancy prevention could help address the issue.
In 2015-16, the most recent data available, about 18.5% — or 28,000 — of all Montgomery County Public Schools students were chronically absent. That means they missed 15 or more days of school in the academic year, according to school district data.
McCarthy on Monday said he believes 8,000 to 9,000 MCPS students are “habitually truant” each year, meaning they miss at least 18 days per semester for an unexcused reason.
McCarthy pointed to a recent Washington Post article that said at some Montgomery County schools in the 2018-19 school year, more than 40% of students missed 10 to 50 days of classes in a semester.
“I was shocked,” he said. “We’ve changed the grading policy so attendance doesn’t matter and I think that’s crazy. There’s maybe a lack of consistency in the county in regards to a policy about that.”
McCarthy said the county’s truancy prevention program is one of his top priorities when exploring initiatives that could use more funding and expansion.

About 90% of students who participate in the program, which operates at 19 of the county’s 207 public schools, are “black or brown,” McCarthy said...

22 comments:

  1. "McCarthy on Monday said he believes 8,000 to 9,000 MCPS students are “habitually truant” each year,.." Another brilliant and sound judgment?

    ReplyDelete
  2. Old wine in a new bottle:
    https://bethesdamagazine.com/bethesda-beat/courts/facing-states-attorney-challengers-mccarthy-touts-progress-on-diversity-opponents-not-convinced/

    ReplyDelete
  3. With a base salary above $200k it is odd that there are only four candidates.
    https://www.mdcounties.org/DocumentCenter/View/1468/complete-survey-2017?bidId=

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Plus moonlighting: https://www.montgomerycollege.edu/academics/departments/business-economics-rockville/faculty-staff.html#cust-43-johnmccarthy-content-content

      Delete
  4. https://bethesdamagazine.com/bethesda-beat/courts/states-attorneys-candidates-discuss-local-crime-spikes-juvenile-justice-and-the-role-of-data-in-criminal-justice-reform/
    "Incumbent State’s Attorney John McCarthy, who is seeking a fifth four-year term, is being challenged . . ."

    ReplyDelete
  5. Officials raising their sleeves to do actual work:
    https://wtop.com/montgomery-county/2022/05/montgomery-co-officials-plan-meeting-to-tackle-rise-in-teen-violence/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. As in nothing. Another day, another meeting. No actual work.

      Delete
    2. Profound statement of leadership.
      “Society has got to play a role in taking back their neighborhoods and their communities as well.”

      Delete
    3. Those artful obfuscations
      Crafted to near perfection
      Without doubt or question
      Are used to win elections.

      Delete
  6. https://bethesdamagazine.com/bethesda-beat/politics/states-attorneys-challenger-candidates-call-for-changes-to-combat-violent-crime/
    However, when it comes to the perennial issue of sexual predators they are all quiet as a church mouse!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Another four years of haphazard justice and compassionate speeches adding insult to injury. https://bethesdamagazine.com/bethesda-beat/politics/local-groups-announce-endorsements-of-candidates-for-july-19-primary/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We certainly are in good hands:
      https://bethesdamagazine.com/bethesda-beat/police-fire/police-blotter-mail-carrier-robbed-in-bethesda/

      Delete
  8. https://bethesdamagazine.com/bethesda-beat/politics/political-notes-among-2022-candidates-votes-are-in-figuratively-speaking-on-the-most-coveted-endorsements/
    Old wine in a new bottle: "Leggett has endorsed State’s Attorney John McCarthy, whose first three terms overlapped with Leggett’s tenure as executive."

    ReplyDelete
  9. Business as usual:
    https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2022/07/16/montgomery-county-states-attorney-elect/
    “My frustration about this race has been nearly everything that has been mentioned that needs to be done, we’ve already done,” McCarthy said

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. And the people are equally frustrated because there are no laws, only loopholes!

      Delete
  10. https://bethesdamagazine.com/bethesda-beat/courts/mccarthy-looks-ahead-to-likely-fifth-term-as-montgomery-countys-top-prosecutor/
    Our confident top prosecutor for life when it comes to the thorny subject of sexual predators and child molesters he becomes quiet as a church mouse. .

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The perennial prosecutor won again
      While I try not to lose my composure
      As I endure and bear the constant pain
      Knowing that no justice means no closure.

      Delete
    2. It is time to upgrade to bulletproof windows.
      https://bethesdamagazine.com/2022/10/04/three-d-c-teens-charged-with-attempted-armed-carjacking-in-rockville/

      Delete
  11. Celebrating their outstanding accomplishments:
    https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/SAO/Resources/Images/IMG_3206(2).JPG

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. In other news, we are safe for the next four years:
      https://bethesdamagazine.com/2022/11/09/mccarthy-wins-fifth-term-as-states-attorney/

      Delete
    2. Living in MoCo is hazardous to your health:
      https://bethesdamagazine.com/2022/11/09/at-least-one-dead-in-silver-spring-shooting/

      Delete
    3. https://johnmccarthy.us/ "State’s Attorney McCarthy also worked along with Attorney General Brian Frosh and U.S. Representative Jamie Raskin in passing the most sweeping gun reform legislation in the history of the state of Maryland, the Gun Safety Act of 2013."

      Delete

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