The Moreland School District understands that school attendance is a protective factor for students, and promotes student engagement, inclusion, and overall well-being. Additionally, investments in teaching and learning are maximized when students attend school on a regular basis. Therefore, Moreland is committed to efforts that align with California law, including attendance notifications and communication to parents, and to using data to identify at-risk patterns in absenteeism and apply appropriate intervention strategies that build healthy habits around school attendance as early as possible. A collaborative focus on attendance that includes students, parents, and schools, contributes to all students being more successful academically, socially, and emotionally.
The following Attendance Works resources can support families in building good habits around school attendance.
Help Your Child Succeed in Preschool: Build the Habit of Good Attendance - English
Help Your Child Succeed in Preschool: Build the Habit of Good Attendance - Spanish
Help Your Child Succeed in Elementary School: Build the Habit of Good Attendance - English
Help Your Child Succeed in Elementary School: Build the Habit of Good Attendance - Spanish
Pay Attention to Attendance Keep Your Teen on Track in Middle and High School - English
Pay Attention to Attendance Keep Your Teen on Track in Middle and High School - Spanish
School attendance is required by state law, called Education Code (Ed Code). Ed Code section 48200 requires that every child 6 to 18 years old must attend school every day and on time, unless there is an acceptable reason (defined by Ed Code) for the absence. Acceptable reasons for excused absences include, but are not limited to, illness, medical appointments, and attendance at family funeral services. Unexcused absences include non-bereavement travel (such as for pleasure, business, visa renewal, etc.), attending sporting events or concerts, babysitting, accompanying parents/older siblings on travel, and more. Parents/guardians are responsible for their child's school attendance and must notify the school when their child is not in school and include the reason, regardless of whether it is excused or unexcused.
Truancy
Ed Code states that a student is truant if that student:
or any combination thereof. (Ed Code, 48260(a)). Ed Code requires public schools to send parents notifications of truancy in writing. This notification is meant to promote communication between the home and the school. Parents are always encouraged to contact the school site when questions of school attendance arise.
School Attendance Review Board (SARB)
Schools work closely with families whenever a student is experiencing attendance problems. If the problem cannot be resolved by school staff, the school may refer the student and family to the School Attendance Review Board (SARB). The purpose of the SARB is to provide "intensive guidance and coordinated community services" to "meet the special needs of pupils with school attendance problems" (Ed. Code, 48320, subd. (a)). While the intent of the SARB is to provide families with intentional support services, a SARB also has the power to refer students and their parents to the county District Attorney. Such referrals are made to help families understand and meet the requirements of California's compulsory education laws.