“Stay in School” Attendance Enhancement Program A Presentation For Parents & Students Bakersfield City School District Bakersfield City School District And Kern County District Attorney’s Office

THE LAW THE LAW REGARDING SCHOOL ATTENDANCE REGARDING SCHOOL ATTENDANCE

What Exactly Does the Law Say? Each person between the ages of 6 and 18 years SHALL attend school full-time. Each person between the ages of 6 and 18 years SHALL attend school full-time. (California Education Code 48200)

Compulsory Attendance Laws Basic Rule: The Law Requires you to be in School. These laws are broken when the student is considered a truant.

Why should a parent be concerned with the Compulsory Attendance Laws? Because when these laws are broken, a parent and the parent’s student may be taken to court. Because when these laws are broken, a parent and the parent’s student may be taken to court.

What is Truancy?

A Truant is… Any student who is absent from school without valid excuse either: 1.For three full days; or 2.Tardy more than 30 minutes three times; or 3.Any combination of three (full school days or more than 30 minutes late.) (Education Code Section 48260)

OUTCOMES OF CHRONIC TRUANCY RESEARCH SHOWS: Fewer opportunities to learn. Fewer opportunities to learn. Interference with social development. Interference with social development. Increased risk of child abuse and neglect. Increased risk of child abuse and neglect. At risk of dropping out of school. At risk of dropping out of school. Substance abuse, including early onset of stress on the child and family. Substance abuse, including early onset of stress on the child and family. Higher rates of emotional problems later in life. Later risk of joblessness and poverty. Source: Berg & Jackson 1985, King et al 1995, Kortering et al 1997

Why might children have severe and chronic attendance problems? Student (Depression, victimization, juvenile delinquency) Student (Depression, victimization, juvenile delinquency) Medical (Complaint of health condition) Medical (Complaint of health condition) Family (Parent uses student as a support person, substance abuse, student is required to work, cover up child abuse/neglect) Family (Parent uses student as a support person, substance abuse, student is required to work, cover up child abuse/neglect) School (Poor teacher-student relationships, academic difficulties, school climate, bullying) School (Poor teacher-student relationships, academic difficulties, school climate, bullying) Source: Bernstein & Garfinkel, 1986, 1988; Bernstein et. Al. 1997; Last, Francis, Hersen, Kazdin & Strauss, 1987; Kearney, 2001; King et. Al., 1995; Last & Strauss, 1990

What is Excused v. Unexcused? EXCUSED  Personal Illness (Doc note may be required) (Doc note may be required)  Medical Appointment -Keep to a minimum -Keep to a minimum  Funeral of Immediate Family Member -One day only. -One day only. ”Immediate Family Member” is defined as mother, father, grandmother, grandfather, son/son-in-law, daughter/daughter-in-law, brother, sister, or any relative living in the student’s immediate household. ”Immediate Family Member” is defined as mother, father, grandmother, grandfather, son/son-in-law, daughter/daughter-in-law, brother, sister, or any relative living in the student’s immediate household.  Court Appearance Required UNEXCUSED Out of Town Visit to Relatives Out of Town Visit to Relatives Runny nose or cough or mild stomach ache Runny nose or cough or mild stomach ache Minor Headaches Minor Headaches Stay with a Sick Relative Stay with a Sick Relative Otherwise would have been excused, but parent didn’t bother to call. Otherwise would have been excused, but parent didn’t bother to call.See: California Education Code section 48205

What Happens When a Student is Identified as a Truant? The STEP Process begins… The STEP Process begins…

THE STEP PROCESS School Process: Monitor student attendance Monitor student attendance

Each Step Escalates the Seriousness of the Consequences : Step #1 - Classification as Truant Step #1 - Classification as Truant Letter Only Letter Only Step #2 - Second Classification as Truant Step #2 - Second Classification as Truant Letter & Meeting with School Representative

Step #3 – Classification as an Habitual Truant Community service

An Habitual Truant

When does a Student become a Habitual Truant? “Habitual Truant” is: Any pupil is deemed an habitual truant who has been reported as a truant three or more times per school year’ plus An appropriate school employee has made a conscientious effort to hold at least one conference with a parent or guardian of the pupil and the pupil himself/herself. (California Education Code Section 48262)

Habitual Truant ( ) + Conscientious Effort

Why is “Habitual Truant” Status Important? Once a student is classified as an “Habitual Truant” the parents and student become subject to the jurisdiction of the courts.

Step #4 - School Attendance Review Board (SARB) A multi-agency group which meets with students and parents in an effort to remedy the problem of chronic truancy.

The Intent… The intent of the Bakersfield City School District School Attendance Review Board is to provide intensive guidance and coordinated community services to meet the needs of pupils with school attendance problems prior to a referral to court.

What is expected to occur after the School Attendance Review Board? The parent/guardian is expected to follow the directives/recommendations of the S.A.R.B. panel. The parent/guardian is expected to follow the directives/recommendations of the S.A.R.B. panel. The student is required to have no more unexcused absences or tardies over 30 minutes. The student is required to have no more unexcused absences or tardies over 30 minutes.

What occurs if the student continues to have unexcused absences is late over 30 minutes after the School Attendance Review Board meeting? The case is referred to the District Attorney’s Office.

This is when that phrase becomes important… “SUBJECT TO THE JURISDICTION OF THE COURT”

What Does it Mean to be “Subject to the Jurisdiction of the Courts”

Answer  It means that the Courts can get involved in the issue of your child’s school attendance.  It means that the parent may be legally prosecuted for their child not going to school.  It means that the Courts can get involved in the issue of your child’s school attendance.  It means that the parent may be legally prosecuted for their child not going to school.

THE LEGAL CONSEQUENCES

Parents, Truancy & the Law Any parent, guardian, or other person having control or charge of any pupil, who fail to comply with the Compulsory Education Laws is guilty of an infraction and shall be punished. Any parent, guardian, or other person having control or charge of any pupil, who fail to comply with the Compulsory Education Laws is guilty of an infraction and shall be punished. (Education Code 48293)

What penalties can be imposed against a PARENT? Infraction = fine + penalties & assessments Infraction = fine + penalties & assessments  1 st offense = $100 fine  2 nd offense = $250 fine  3 rd offense = $500 fine Misdemeanor Penal Code section 272 Misdemeanor Penal Code section 272  Up to $2,500 fine  Up to 1 year in jail  Up to 5 years Probation Possible additional requirements Possible additional requirements  Parenting classes  Taking child to school

What charges may be filed against the STUDENT Infraction – Education Code Infraction – Education Code  $100 fine plus penalties and assessments  hours community service  After school or weekend study program  Loss/delay of driver’s license and/or work permit

ALL THE STEPS Step #1 - Classification as Truant Step #1 - Classification as Truant Step #2 - Second Classification as Truant Step #2 - Second Classification as Truant Step #3 - Classification as a Habitual Truant Step #3 - Classification as a Habitual Truant Step #4 - Student Attendance Review Board Step #4 - Student Attendance Review Board Step #5 – Case is Referred to D.A.’s Office Step #5 – Case is Referred to D.A.’s Office

Why is Attendance Each Day and Being on Time For School so Important?

THE REAL REASONS The better the child’s education, the brighter the child’s future.

Education Affects… Self Esteem Self Esteem Social Interactions Social Interactions Job Opportunities Job Opportunities Potential Earnings/Income Over Lifetime Potential Earnings/Income Over Lifetime Making a Stronger America Making a Stronger America

Activities & Sports

Sports & Activities

Positive Friendships

Job Opportunities Limited Employers Care About Education. Employers Care About Education. The types of jobs you can apply for depend on your education. The types of jobs you can apply for depend on your education.

Future of the dropout Dropouts are more likely to need and receive public assistance than high school graduates. Dropouts are more likely to need and receive public assistance than high school graduates. Dropouts make up nearly half of the heads of households on welfare. Dropouts make up nearly half of the heads of households on welfare. The likelihood of slipping into poverty is about 3 times higher for dropouts than for those who finish high school. The likelihood of slipping into poverty is about 3 times higher for dropouts than for those who finish high school. Source:

Education = Higher Income Education Level MEDIAN INCOME INCOME COMPARED TO HS GRADUATE Professional Degree Holders $100,000 $100, % 280% College Graduates, M.A. $74,476 $74, % 208% College Graduates, B.A. $64,406 $64, % 180% High School Graduates $35,744 $35, % 100% 9 th –12 th grade (no diploma) $21,737 $21,737 61% 61% Less than 9 th Grade $17,261 $17,261 48% 48%

Truancy Increases Your Chances of Being Incarcerated and Living in Poverty CRIME & TRUANCY 78% of prison inmates have truancy as their first arrest 57% of violent crimes committed by juveniles occur when the student should have been in school 82% of prisoners are high school drop-outs 67% of truants test positive for drugs when they are detained Source: 1996 Juvenile Crime Statistics – Dept. of Justice

What can parents do to reduce truancy? Make education a priority in your home. Make education a priority in your home. Make sure your child gets plenty of rest. Make sure your child gets plenty of rest. If your child resists going to school, see if you can work out a plan with the principal, go to school with your child and sit in their class. If your child resists going to school, see if you can work out a plan with the principal, go to school with your child and sit in their class. Seek tutoring or other help if your child is struggling in school. Seek tutoring or other help if your child is struggling in school. Help your child get involved in school activities. Help your child get involved in school activities. Meet with your child’s teacher and/or school administrators. Meet with your child’s teacher and/or school administrators.

What will the school do to reduce truancy?  Each student will be monitored for school attendance.  The school will notify the parent of accumulated unexcused absences or tardies over 30 minutes.  After 4 unexcused absences or tardies over 30 minutes, the school will attempt to meet with the parent and child in an effort to seek ways to improve the child’s attendance.

What Are We Trying to Accomplish By Increased Attendance?

GRADUATION!

What can we do before we leave today? Complete Presentation Evaluation. Complete Presentation Evaluation. Fill out the attendance compliance letter. Fill out the attendance compliance letter. This letter will be retained by the school. This letter will be retained by the school.

(Date) RE: District Attorney Orientation Meeting I certify that I attended the District Attorney Mediation meeting at ____________ School on (Date). I acknowledge that I have been informed about the BCSD Attendance Enhancement Process and that I have been advised of the consequences of my child’s continued absences. I agree to keep informed of my child’s attendance at school. I agree to work with my child and _________ School to prevent unexcused absences and tardies. ______________________________ Signature of Parent ______________________________ Signature of Other Parent ______________________________ Print Student Name