DC public schools face special grand jury probe into attendance, truancy and graduation records
Prosecutors are questioning school staff and reviewing data as preliminary figures show 50.4% of D.C. students in grades 9-12 were chronically truant.
- In a follow-up report Thursday, Attorney Jeanine Pirro's special grand jury is investigating DCPS, focusing on truancy and graduation oversight rather than criminal prosecutions, using an investigatory tool rarely deployed in the District.
- Preliminary OSSE data shows chronic truancy among students in grades nine through 12 reached 50.4% this year, with stark disparities between Ballou High School at 84.4% and School Without Walls High School at 2.3%.
- Federal prosecutors have contacted DCPS teachers and personnel in recent days to question them about attendance records and graduation rates, the Washington Post reported, describing the tool as "an investigatory tool that has rarely been used in the District."
- Legal experts told the Washington Post the maneuver stood out as "notable," particularly given President Trump's past comments calling the community "crime-infested and dirty," raising concerns the investigation could reignite tensions with local government.
- Interim DCPS Chancellor Kim Jackson described chronic absenteeism as one of the system's greatest challenges, while Hedy Chang of Attendance Works advocates an "all hands on deck approach" to improve student engagement and attendance.
10 Articles
10 Articles
Mystery deepens as special Pirro grand jury puts 'even more unusual' target in crosshairs
The target of who or whom U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro's special grand jury will be hearing testimony on makes her choice to invoke the rare legal tool all the more baffling, the Washington Post is reporting.More than two weeks ago, the Post first reported that Pirro, a former Fox News personality, had quietly empaneled a separate grand jury under murky circumstances, coming not long after President Trump had sharply criticized her.Legal experts …
Pirro’s Special Grand Jury Is Focused On DC’s Schools
The Washington Post reports: Federal prosecutors have convened a rarely used special grand jury focused on D.C. youth that includes an examination of public schools in the nation’s capital. The scope of the investigation appears broad with prosecutors focused on supervision and oversight of children in the District. The people said prosecutors have contacted multiple D.C. Public Schools teachers and other personnel in recent days to question the…
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