The most important gift you can give your child is a consistent education. Therefore, absences should be for illness and not as a convenient way of getting a jump on a long weekend. As important as family time is, having the best education possible will ultimately determine a child's success in life.
California compulsory education law requires everyone between the ages of 6 and 18 years of age to attend school, except 16 and 17 year-olds who have graduated from high school or passed the California High School Proficiency Exam (CHSPE) and obtained parental permission to leave. Some students, however, violate compulsory education laws and have a pattern of unexcused absences. Although truancy and excessive absenteeism are not new problems, they cause costly, long-term problems for the students, school, and the community.
School Attendance Review Boards (SARBs), composed of representatives from various youth-serving agencies, help truant or recalcitrant students and their parents or guardians solve school attendance and behavior problems through the use of available school and community resources.
In 1998, California switched to a positive attendance system. What this means is that even though a school has a student enrolled in a class, the school only earns money if the student is in his/her seat. Any money lost is money that can't be spent on student services. And more importantly, the student misses out on valuable learning time. Absences are not only costly to the child's education, but also to the School District. All absences, regardless of the reason, are not reimbursed by the State of California. As a result, our schools lose approximately $47.00 for each day your child is not in school.
Categories of Absences
Tardy - marked tardy after the start bell
Tardy Excused - must provide note from parent, legal guardian or physician
Excused - Student is ill, doctor's appointment, religious observance or death or funeral
Unexcused - Students who miss school for reasons other than the above
Excessive Tardies - a parent conference will be held, the student is ineligible to attend activities, and he/she will be referred to the SARB Board
How can I help my child attend school regularly?
By working together, schools and families can establish regular routines for children. Regular attendance is one of the first steps to academic success.
As a parent or guardian, you can play an active role in supporting your child's regular attendance in school by following the guidelines to the right.
Schedule appointments for your child outside of school hours where possible
Establish a routine of being at school each day and on time, from the first day
Give your child a positive view of school, presenting school as fun and exciting as well as important
Plan for school the night before to avoid a stressful morning rush
Have a consistent spot for school items such as homework
Set the alarm to get up in time to allow for a relaxed morning routine
Help your child be organized and responsible by maintaining a routine for homework and setting aside time to review homework or discuss the school day
Participate in your child's education by staying in touch with the teacher and attending special programs and events where possible. When your child sees education is important to you, it becomes important to them
Resist giving in to pleading or coaxing from your child to stay home for a day
If your child stays home without your knowledge or consent, or refuses to attend school, contact the school
The Housing Crisis and Attendance at School
As you know, the housing crisis is affecting many families in Contra Costa County, and yours may be one of them. This crisis is creating a surge in families losing their permanent homes. And unfortunately, this crisis is affecting our most vulnerable population - our children.
The County Office of Education would like to provide you with key clarifications and rights available to you under the McKinney-Vento Education Assistance Act.
If you... --Lack a regular, fixed and adequate nighttime residence (i.e. housing without electricity, water or heat) --Are sharing housing due to financial changes (i.e. more than one family living together) --Are living in a shelter, hotel or motel --Are living in a public place such as a car, campground, park or on the street
Your preschool and school age children's rights are... --To go to school, no matter where you are living or how long you have lived there --To continue in the school they last attended before you lost your regular, fixed nighttime residence --To receive assistance with transportation to school and school programs --To attend school and participate in school programs --To enroll without giving a permanent address --To enroll and attend classes, pending the transfer of required school records --To receive school services, including transportation, Gifted and Talented Education, after school programs and reduced breakfasts and lunches
If you ARE living in a shelter, living with another family, living in your car, moving from place to place, living in a motel, living in a park, or lack adequate permanent nighttime housing with water and electricity, please let us know. Contact the County Office of Education either on the web or at 925.942.3322 so that they may assist you with school supplies and transportation. You can leave a confidential message to gain assistance to help you through this difficult transition period.
Our Kids, Our Schools, Our Community. We go hand in hand.