1. School Success Starts with Good Attendance
School Attendance Review Board
(SARB)
Crystal Cavanagh, SARB Manager (619)

2. District Focus on Attendance
Students need to participate and be present at school everyday in order to receive their education and become a successful and productive member of their community.

3. “Chronic absenteeism is the single strongest predictor of dropping out of school before graduation.”
School Success Starts with Good Attendance ENG

4. What is Chronic Absenteeism?
Missing more than 10% of days enrolled in school, for any reason.
This means missing about 17 days in one school year, or about 1 day every other week.

5. Poor Attendance Affects Everyone
Impact on students:
More likely to be poor, unemployed, have substance abuse problems, be teen parents, and be involved with the law.
Impact on teachers and peers:
Slows down class progress to re-teach to absent students.

6. Financial Impact
District receives funding if a student is in school any part of the school day.
Loss in funding when students are absent may mean loss of programs, supplies, and/or services to your students.

7. What does the law say about school attendance?
Education Code 48200:
Every person between the age of 6 and 18 years shall attend school full time or until they graduate

8. What is a Truant? Education Code defines a truant as a student who:
Misses 3 periods or full days without valid excuse, or
Is tardy more than 30 minutes (3 times), or
Any combination of the above

9. What excuses do you hear from your students?
School is boring (No. 1 reason)
I don’t like my teacher
Problems with friends
Too tired
I don’t feel good
Too hard
Didn’t do the homework
Failing

10. Know Difference Between Excused and Unexcused
Excused Absences:
Personal Illness
Medical Appt. (not for entire day)
Attending funeral of an immediate family member (1 day in CA; 3 days out of CA)
Court appearance

11. Unexcused Absences: Family Vacation (get a contract!)
Parent is ill and keeps child home
Student says they don’t feel good, but no symptoms of illness
Babysitting younger siblings
Car won’t start
Missed the bus
Absence must be excused w/in 5 days

12. Tardies It’s important to be in school every day on time!
Why is being on time so important?
Establishes the habit.
Missed instruction  falling behind.
When a child comes in late, it affects everyone. It disrupts the class and impacts everyone’s learning.
Disrespectful to teacher and peers.

13. SARB Process
After school tries all interventions and has sent out required letters, they can refer the case to the SARB office if attendance has not improved.
SARB is the district’s last attempt to resolve the attendance problem; offers additional support to student/family; and is the last step before court intervention.

14. What Happens at a SARB Hearing?
Parents and student (9 yrs+) attend hearing before a SARB panel and explain why they are not attending school every day.
Legal consequences are explained if attendance does not improve after hearing
Panel offers recommendations to help improve the attendance
Legally-binding contract signed

15. Court Process
When attendance continues to be a problem even after a SARB hearing, the parent or the student can be referred to court.
12 yrs and older – case filed against student
Under 12 yrs – case filed against the parent

16. What Happens in Court? MUST ANSWER TO THE JUDGE
For students 12 yrs +, student is placed on formal probation or probation to the court and may eventually face juvenile hall time if they do not attend school.
For students under 12, parents are held responsible, face possible fines and must complete parenting classes. Continued court monitoring until attendance improves.

17. The most accurate predictor of student achievement is not income or social status, but parent involvement in their child’s education.

18. MAKE EDUCATION A PRIORITY AT HOME:
Make sure your child has a place to study and goes to bed early
Talk to school about problems. Ask for help or resource information
Always call school when child is absent, even if you know it will be marked unexcused!

19. Encourage involvement in school activities
Check with your child’s teacher if grades are a concern, get extra help
Encourage involvement in school activities
Get involved in parent programs, if available
School Success Starts with Good Attendance ENG

20. Don’t Give Up!
Your hard work will help your children and benefit many generations
It is never too early to teach our children good habits and the importance of an education!