Truancy Prevention Program

Our Mission

The Truancy Prevention Program (TPP) is an early intervention program run by the State’s Attorney’s Office for Montgomery County, MD. Its mission is to improve middle school attendance in Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) by discovering the root causes of truancy and assisting students and their families with issues that impact attendance. Participation is voluntary, and the students are recommended to the program by their school administrators. The Truancy Prevention Program currently serves 25 middle schools. Thanks to the invaluable collaboration of the County Council, MCPS, Montgomery County Police Department, and our dedicated community volunteers, the State’s Attorney’s Office is working to expand TPP to all 40 public middle schools. We also serve two high schools where the principals requested the program.

“The Truancy Prevention Program (TPP) approaches student attendance in the same way that MCPS strives to do so, in a positive, encouraging manner. All TPP staff members and volunteers seek to uncover barriers, address those barriers, and encourage the students always to do and be their very best. After the graduation ceremony, student speakers speak about the significant impact of the program on their lives. The TPP is one of MCPS’s most valued partnerships, and we appreciate the State’s Attorney’s Office's collaboration.” – MCPS Attendance Services Director Steven Neff

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OUR APPROACH

• Reducing School Absenteeism

TPP reduces school absenteeism by addressing academic, school, personal, and family-related factors. It is a voluntary and supportive program to keep children in school and families out of court.

• Improving Attitudes about Education

TPP aims to improve students' attitudes about education by cultivating a supportive and trusting environment.

• Helping to Achieve Full Potential

TPP gives special attention to students' attendance and academic needs to help them achieve their full potential.

• Providing Individualized Goal Setting and Mentoring

TPP helps students identify and understand their areas of difficulty. It provides individualized support, goal setting, and mentoring.

RESULTS

Through participation in the TPP, most student participants noticeably improve in attendance, academics, and attitudes toward school. During the 2023-2024 school year, TPP served over 300 families, with 245 students demonstrating significant reductions in truancy and 157 students successfully graduating from TPP. These students, who reduced truancy by 60% or more, can graduate from the program. Their success stories are a testament to the positive impact of the Truancy Prevention Program. Student graduates are honored during the Montgomery County Circuit Courthouse culminating ceremony each semester.   

Studies conducted by the University of Baltimore Study and the University of Maryland School of Public Policy Study found that approximately 67% of the students continue their improved attendance during the semester after they completed the program.

Volunteer Recruitment

On average, 50 to 60 community members serve as volunteers in TPP each semester, and to meet our goal of expanding, we need more! Our volunteers come from a variety of sectors and industries in the community. We have police officers, adjunct professors, former educators, doctors, lawyers, college students, accelerated high school students, personal trainers, etc. Our volunteers meet weekly with students. The time commitment is three hours a week for 10 weeks per semester.

• If you are interested in understanding and helping address the issues affecting attendance, academics, and behavior
• If you have the skills to provide support, guidance, and motivation;
• If you can make time to participate in a meaningful collaborative problem-solving effort;

Truancy Prevention Program Brochure

TOGETHER, WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.