San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom launched a program Friday to help reengage truant students and close the achievement gap in San Francisco schools.
The Truancy Assessment and Referral Center, located at 44 Gough St., will provide a place for police to take students who skip school but are not necessarily breaking the law, Newsom said.
It will be a one-stop location where officers can bring truant students to be evaluated and reengaged by community-based organizations and the San Francisco Unified School District.
Last year in San Francisco, 32 percent of African American students, 19 percent of Caucasian students and 19 percent of Latino students failed to graduate from public high school.
The truancy center is staffed by a San Francisco Unified School District counselor and a community-based case manager who can determine the best next steps for students.
The center is a joint effort between the school district, the San Francisco Juvenile Probation Department, San Francisco Police Department, and Department of Children, Youth and their Families. Community partners include Huckleberry Youth Services and Urban Service YMCA.
