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13 November 2013

2013 – 2014

D.E.L.A.CDistrict English Learners

Advisory Committee

The Importance of School Attendance

LawsConsequences

& Proactive Ideas

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Absences & the Law

California Education CodeMinor Consequences

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+Why must my child attend school?

It’s an essential part of the formal educational learning process

It’s essential for his/her academic successIt’s the law!

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+Student Attendance Expectationsper California Education Code

Reasons for allowable/excusable absences:

1.Illnessa. (If absent for more than 2 consecutive days, a doctor’s

note may be required)

2.Medical, optical or dental services

3.Funeral services for an immediate family membera. one day is allowed if the service is in California,

b. 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)

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+ AbsencesUnallowable Reasons

Going shopping

Minor sickness

The student’s birthday

Slept in

Visiting relatives

Taking care of siblings at home

Not having a school uniform

Transportation problems

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+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

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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

7HUSD EL Dept 2013-14

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)

8HUSD EL Dept 2013-14

+ 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

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Major Consequences

Chronic AbsencesThe SARB

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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

11HUSD EL Dept 2013-14

+ The SARB Process Established by Law

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

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+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

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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

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What does the SARB do?

HUSD EL Dept 2013-14

+ More Laws

13202.7 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 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 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

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Absences as a Symptom of

Something More

Challenges to Student Attendance

Proactive IdeasThe Role of ELAC

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+ Comprendiendo la AusenciaSíntoma 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

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Why do students decide not to attend school or a course?

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Ask yourself…

HUSD EL Dept 2013-14

+ Challenges to Student Attendance

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

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+ Further Challenges…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

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+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

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+ The most important factor determining whether a student will

attend school is

MOTIVATION What motivates students to attend school?

When you continue to speak about attendance at your ELACs, consider the following…

1. Review the challenges students face2. Offer ideas on how to overcome them3. Think of other ideas that might keep students at school

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+ Proactive MesauresPossible Ideas for Primary

Share 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

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+Proactive Mesaures

Possible Ideas for Secondary Strengthen 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

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