California’s state Constitution declares public education to be an essential and fundamental right for all. The state takes public education very seriously and has strict attendance requirements for all students between the ages of 6 and 18. Children between these ages who are frequently absent or tardy – as well as their parents – are subject to disciplinary action.
California Attendance Policy
California laws are not meant to punish students who are repeatedly absent or tardy. Rather, the laws are intended to encourage consistent and timely attendance so that children can receive all benefits of a public education. Students who attend private school, programs for the mentally gifted, are home-schooled, receive tutor instruction, or have part-time work permits are not subject to California truancy laws. A grading system is used to track students who violate the California truancy laws. A student is labeled as “truant” if he or she, without a valid excuse, has:- Three absences;
- Three tardies; and/or
- Three absences of 30 minutes or greater.
Truancy Process
California imposes certain requirements on the school once a student is considered to be truant. The following breakdown explains the minimum requirements imposed on a school in response to a student’s continued absences.First Notice of Truancy “T1”
After the first three combined unexcused absences and tardies, the school is required to notify the parent or guardian. The purpose is to alert the parents to their child’s absences and/or tardiness in order to afford the parent the opportunity to fix the problem at home.Second Notice of Truancy “T2”
After a student’s fourth unexcused absence or tardy, the school is required to report the student to the attendance supervisor or school superintendent. Most California schools have special attendance task forces set up to help students who have a problem with truancy.Third Notice of Truancy “T3”
A student’s fifth unexcused absence or tardy requires the school to contact the parent and attempt to arrange a meeting. The meeting is intended to help parents, students, and the school understand the reasons for the truancy and to figure out a solution. Once a student misses five days without an excuse, he or she is labeled as chronically or habitually truant. Schools have a myriad of options to help habitual truants, including:- Referring cases to the Student Attendance and Review Board (SARB) for further investigation;
- Holding mandatory hearings with the parent, student, and school attendance liaison;
- Requiring the student and/or parent to enroll in mandatory time-management and counseling courses with proof of attendance; or
- Referring cases to the District Attorney if the situation calls for extreme intervention.
Consequences for Truancy – Students
The purpose of California’s truancy laws is not to punish students who miss school, but rather to get those students who are chronically absent back into the classroom so that they can enjoy the benefits of a public education. As a result, the consequences for truancy are designed to discourage truancy. Truancy and/or chronic truancy may result in:- License suspension, restriction, or delay of driving privileges;
- Parental accompaniment to school;
- Mandatory educational programs; or
- Referral to Juvenile Court.