This document discusses student attendance laws and policies in California. It begins by explaining why attendance is important and what constitutes excused vs. unexcused absences. Consequences for unexcused absences are then outlined at the classroom, school, and legal levels. Chronic absenteeism and the School Attendance Review Board process are explained. Challenges to attendance are listed and proactive measures are suggested, including the role of the English Learner Advisory Committee in addressing attendance issues.

1. +
The Importance of
School Attendance
Laws
Consequences
&
Proactive Ideas
D.E.L.A.C
District English Learners
Advisory Committee
2013 –
2014
13 November 2013

2. +
2
Absences & the Law
California Education Code
Minor Consequences
HUSD EL Dept 2013-14

3. +Why must my child attend school?
 It’s
an essential part of the formal educational
learning process
 It’s
essential for his/her academic success
 It’s
the law!
HUSD EL Dept 2013-14
3

4. +Student Attendance Expectations
4
per California Education Code
Reasons for allowable/excusable absences:
1.Illness
a.
(If absent for more than 2 consecutive days, a doctor’s note
may be required)
2.Medical,
3.Funeral
a.
b.
optical or dental services
services for an immediate family member
one day is allowed if the service is in California,
three days are allowed if the service is outside California
4.Quarantine
5.Others
personal justifiable reasons (for examplo, to observe
a religious ceremony or festivity)
HUSD EL Dept 2013-14

5. +
Absences
Unallowable Reasons
 Going
shopping
 Minor
sickness
 The
student’s birthday
 Slept
in
 Visiting
 Taking
 Not
relatives
care of siblings at home
having a school uniform
 Transportation
HUSD EL Dept 2013-14
problems
5

6. +

6
The Law & Absences
Rights of the Student & Family
Under the law, a student absent from school must
be…

Allowed to complete any homework and tests missed
missed during the absence that can be reasonably
provided

Awarded credit upon satisfactory completion
within a reasonably agreed upon period of time
HUSD EL Dept 2013-14

7. The Law & Absences
Parent Responsibility

A note and/or phone
call to the school to
clear the absence

Have 3 days (72 hours)
to clear the absence
HUSD EL Dept 2013-14
7

8. Classroom Level Consequence
 Not
justifying an absence
shall result in a notation of
unexcused absence in the
homeroom teacher’s role
book (primary) or in those of
all missed courses (secondary)
HUSD EL Dept 2013-14
8

9. +
School Level Consequences
 School
staff may call for a meeting or SST when
your child has been absent for many days
without an excuse
 The
school may send a formal letter to parents
of students who accumulate 3 or more days of
unexcused absences warning of a further
potential consequence that…
 After
10 days of consecutive unexcused
absences, the student may be removed from
the attendance roster if parents have not
contacted the school
HUSD EL Dept 2013-14
9

10. +
10
Major
Consequences
Chronic Absences
The SARB
HUSD EL Dept 2013-14

11. What is chronic absenteeism?
A student is “chronically
“absent” when s/he
 is
absent without a valid excuse
during at least 3 days within a
school year; or
 Is
absent for more than a period of
30 minutes during the school day
(which includes tardies) without a
valid excuse on 3 ocassions during a
school year, or
 any
combination of the above
HUSD EL Dept 2013-14
11

12. + The SARB Process Established by Law
12
 After
the third day of unexcused absences the student
is officially identified as “truant”


These absences are recorded by the office manager (primary)
or attendance clerk (secondary)
A first letter (warning) is sent home
 At


the 4th unexcused absence a second letter is sent
The student continues to be truant
A School Attendance Review Team is convened (SART) to discuss the
student’s attendance
 After
the fifth unexcused absence the student is identified as
“habitually truant”

And is now subject to receive a summons to appear at a SARB hearing
HUSD EL Dept 2013-14

13. +

13
What is the SARB?
School Attendance Review Board
A
legal body Established by Education Code 48260
 Its main objective is to enforce parents’ legal (and moral)
obligation to ensure that their children attend school in
cases where there is a history of the parent not fulfilling
this duty
HUSD EL Dept 2013-14

14. +
What does the SARB do?
 The
SARB will pedirá al padre de familia (o tutor
legal) y al alumno que firmen un contrato de
asistencia. Romper el contrato resultará en una
citación legal para aparecer ante una corte de ley

1ra Falla de Contrato
 Una multa de no más de $100.00 (más penalidades que
podrían llegar a un total de $486.00)

2ª Falla de Contrato
 Una multa de no más de $250.00 (más penalidades que
que podrían llegar a un total de $1086.00)

3ª o Falla Subsecuente
 Una multa de no más de $500.00 (más penalidades que
podrían llegar a un total de $2,000.86) por cada falta
HUSD EL Dept 2013-14
14

15. More Laws
+
 13202.7

P.C. (Penal Code) PARENT CONSEQUENCE
Not enrolling your child in an approved educational program could
result in a fine of $2,500.00 + 1 year in County Jail + up to 5 years
probation
 48200

V.C. (Vehicle Code) STUDENT CONSEQUENCE
Any minor less than 18 years of age, but older than 13 who is
legally “habitually truant”
 May have his driving right/privilege suspended for 1 year or
 May have the privilege of taking driving tests deferred for the same
period of time
 270.1

15
E.C. (Education Code) THE LAW
All parents/tutors are legally responsible in ensuring that their children
attend school from the age of 6 to 18
HUSD EL Dept 2013-14

16. +
16
Absences as a
Symptom of
Something More
Challenges to Student Attendance
Proactive Ideas
The Role of ELAC
HUSD EL Dept 2013-14

17. +
Comprendiendo la Ausencia
Síntoma de Algo Más…

Necesitamos entender por qué los estudiantes
se alejan de la escuela antes de llegar al punto
del SARB

La ausencia crónica e injustificada no es el
problema- es un indicador de otros problemas
HUSD EL Dept 2013-14
17

18. Ask yourself…
Why do students decide not to attend
school or a course?
HUSD EL Dept 2013-14
18

19. + Challenges to Student Attendance
19
1.
Peer pressure
2.
Problems with authority figures
3.
Holding a job to earn money for him/herself
or his/her family
4.
Drug or alcohol abuse
5.
Having problems relating to other youth
HUSD EL Dept 2013-14

20. +
Further Challenges…
20
6.
Being a victim of bullying
7.
Having poor support at home or enduring
conflicts in the home
8.
Believing that the school does not offer a rigorous
program or courses that are engaging
9.
Being constantly reminded they are at a “low”
reading and math level
10.
Other personal challenges:
a. Language
b raciale or cultural conflicts
c. Shame due to appearance (e.g. Clothing)
d. pregnancy
HUSD EL Dept 2013-14

21. +
21
Important things to remember…
It is critical that parents assume
responsibility for their children’s unexcused
absence from an early age

The school can take a proactive role by
being a safe and welcoming place

And encourage both staff and parents to
establish regular contact BEFORE major
attendance problems manifest

HUSD EL Dept 2013-14

22. + The most important factor determining
whether a student will attend school is
22
MOTIVATION

What motivates students to attend school?

When you continue to speak about
attendance at your ELACs, consider the
following…
1.
2.
3.
Review the challenges students face
Offer ideas on how to overcome them
Think of other ideas that might keep students at school
HUSD EL Dept 2013-14

23. Proactive Mesaures
Possible Ideas for Primary
+
 Share




23
attendance data and policy with parents
Focus on grade levels that need support
Review the Parent Student Compact
Review Ed Code on attendance, the SARB and chronic attendance
ELAC can recommend starting an “improve attendance campaign”



make it visible
make sure there is a clear message
link it to a contest or incentives (e.g. certificates)
 Inicien


concursos o incentivos de asistencia
El ELAC puede ayudar a crear o participar en incentivos
El ELAC puede ayudar a crear lienzos con negocios en la comunidad
que donen incentivos
HUSD EL Dept 2013-14

24. Proactive Mesaures
Possible Ideas for Secondary
+
 Strengthen


24
the Home-School Connection
The ELAC can sponsor attendance clinics at the Parent Center,
especially for incoming parents of 7th & 9th graders
Identify who these families are, reach out to them on the school’s behalf
 Advocate for outreach resources for these families (Parent Liaison,
counselors, etc.)
 Invite community groups (e.g. Tiburcio Vasquez to help out)
 Strengthen

the student-to-student connection
Start a mentor program wherein 8th and 11th/12th graders can “adopt”
students with attendance issues early on
 Advocate
so that local businesses do not “house” students
during school hours
 Incentives
also work at this level, but the emphasis can be on
improved, not perfect attendance
HUSD EL Dept 2013-14