Transcript Truancy Reduction Program

“Stay in School”
Attendance Enhancement Program
A Presentation For Parents & Students
Bakersfield City School District
And Kern County District Attorney’s Office
THE LAW
REGARDING SCHOOL
ATTENDANCE
What Exactly Does the Law Say?

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.
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:

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Fewer opportunities to
learn.
Interference with social
development.
Increased risk of child
abuse and neglect.
At risk of dropping out of
school.
Substance abuse,
including early onset of
stress on the child and
family.

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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?


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Student (Depression, victimization, juvenile delinquency)
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)

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

Out of Town Visit to Relatives

Runny nose or cough or mild stomach
ache

Minor Headaches

Stay with a Sick Relative
-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.

Otherwise would have been excused,
but parent didn’t bother to call.
Court Appearance
Required
See:
(Doc note may be required)

Medical Appointment
-Keep to a minimum


UNEXCUSED
Funeral of Immediate
Family Member
California Education Code section 48205
What Happens When a Student
is Identified as a Truant?
The STEP Process begins…
THE STEP PROCESS
School Process:
Monitor student attendance
Each Step Escalates the Seriousness of the
Consequences:

Step #1 - Classification as Truant
Letter Only

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
(3 + 1 +1) + 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 student is required to have no more
unexcused absences or tardies over 30
minutes.

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.
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.
(Education Code 48293)
What penalties can be imposed
against a PARENT?


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Infraction = fine + penalties & assessments
 1st offense = $100 fine
 2nd offense = $250 fine
rd
 3 offense = $500 fine
Misdemeanor Penal Code section 272
 Up to $2,500 fine
 Up to 1 year in jail
 Up to 5 years Probation
Possible additional requirements
 Parenting classes
 Taking child to school
What charges may be filed against
the STUDENT

Infraction – Education Code 48262
 $100 fine plus penalties and assessments
 20-40 hours community service
 After school or weekend study program
 Loss/delay of driver’s license and/or work
permit
ALL THE STEPS
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Step #1 - Classification as Truant
Step #2 - Second Classification as Truant
Step #3 - Classification as a Habitual Truant
Step #4 - Student Attendance Review Board
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…

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Self Esteem
Social Interactions
Job Opportunities
Potential Earnings/Income Over Lifetime
Making a Stronger America
Activities & Sports
Sports & Activities
Positive Friendships
Job Opportunities Limited

Employers Care About Education.

The types of jobs you can apply for depend
on your education.
Future of the dropout

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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.
The likelihood of slipping into poverty is about 3
times higher for dropouts than for those who
finish high school.
Source: www.operationgraduation.com
Education = Higher Income
Education Level
MEDIAN INCOME
INCOME
COMPARED TO HS
GRADUATE
Professional Degree
Holders
$100,000
280%
College Graduates,
M.A.
$74,476
208%
College Graduates,
B.A.
$64,406
180%
High School
Graduates
$35,744
100%
9th –12th grade
(no diploma)
$21,737
61%
Less than 9th Grade
$17,261
48%
Truancy Increases Your Chances of Being
Incarcerated and Living in Poverty
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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?
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Make education a priority in your home.
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.
Seek tutoring or other help if your child is
struggling in school.
Help your child get involved in school activities.
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.
 Fill out the attendance compliance letter.
 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