Fountain Valley High School

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Attendance » Attendance Law / SARB

Attendance Law / SARB

Regular attendance is crucial for high school students as it directly impacts their academic success. By attending classes regularly, students can fully engage with the material, participate in discussions, and develop a deeper understanding of the subjects. Consistent attendance also helps in building a sense of routine and responsibility, which are essential for future academic and professional endeavors.
 
 
WHAT IS SARB?
Students with poor attendance will be referred to the SCHOOL ATTENDANCE REVIEW BOARD (SARB). SARB was established by the California legislature in1975 for the purpose of:
 
  • Making a better effort to meet the needs of student with attendance or behavior issues.
  • Promoting the use of alternatives to the juvenile court system.
 
To achieve these goals, the legislation provides for a multi-agency SARB which includes the following agencies:
 
  • Children and Family Services
  • Probation
  • Law Enforcement
  • Parents and/or other community representatives
  • Community-based organizations
  • Child and Welfare and Attendance Personnel
  • School Guidance Personnel
  • District Attorney's Office
  • Health Representatives
 
The SARB process starts with the identification of attendance issue followed by classroom, school site and district level interventions.
 
SARB is specifically charged with finding solutions to unresolved student attendance issues by bringing together, on a regular basis, representatives of agencies that make up the board.
 
SARB further surveys available community resources, determines the appropriateness of their services, and makes recommendations to meet the needs of referred students.
 
SARB seeks to understand why student are experiencing attendance and behavior issues which have not been resolved.
 
SPECIFIED LAWS RELATED TO ATTENDANCE
  • Education Code, Section 48200. Students, between the ages of 6 and 18, are required to attend school full time, unless otherwise exempt.
  • Education Code, Section 48263. Habitually truant and habitually insubordinate students may be referred to SARB.
  • Education Code, Section 48292, and Penal Code, Section 272. Failure to attend school as required may result in the filing of a complaint against the parents with the District Attorney's Office.