Mobile County Truancy Rates Hit Milestone Low

Mobile County District Attorney Keith Blackwood said truancy rates are the lowest they’ve been in 10 years, FOX10 reported. Blackwood launched the Helping Families Initiative in 2023 to cut back on truancy, which is seven or more unexcused absences, as well as chronic absenteeism, which is 18 or more absences of any kind. The initiative works by identifying a family in need and connecting them with resources to help with problems they may be going through. After a strong first year, Blackwood says the numbers are even better after year two. “In two years of our program, school truancy is down 50%, and chronic absenteeism dropped by 58%. The lowest rates we’ve seen in a decade,” said Blackwood. The following six schools showed the largest decrease in truancy after this past school year: Forest Hill Elementary (31%), Vigor High (30%), Washington Middle (27%), Collins Rhodes Elementary (21%), Theodore High (17%) and Semmes Middle (11%).