Chronic Absenteeism & Dropout Prevention Summit

1. San Diego County Office of EducationStudent Attendance, Safety & Well-Being SCHOOL ATTENDANCE REVIEW BOARD Chronic Absenteeism & Dropout Prevention Summit Presented By: Bob Mueller Director, Student Attendance, Safety & Well-Being Phone: (858) 292-3786 • Fax: (858) 571-8531 Email: bmueller@sdcoe.net

2. AGENDA

3. COMPULSORY EDUCATION Education Code 48200 Requires Fulltime Education 6th Birthday until 18th Birthday

4. In 1973 the Legislature Separated 601 & 602 Violations in Welfare & Institution Code. SARB HISTORY

5. Juvenile 601 Status Offenders Four Low Level Violations Running Away Incorrigible Curfew Truancy Juvenile 602 All Other Violations HIGH LEVEL IMPORTANT DIFFERENCE

6. In 1974 the state legislature establishes in the Education Code a system of interventions for students with persistent attendance and behavior problems at school. SHIFT OF FOCUS In 1974 the state legislature establishes in the Education Code a system of interventions for students with persistent attendance and behavior problems at school. In 1974 the state legislature establishes in the Education Code a system of interventions for students with persistent attendance and behavior problems at school. In 1974 the state legislature establishes in the Education Code a system of interventions for students with persistent attendance and behavior problems at school. In 1974 the state legislature establishes in the Education Code a system of interventions for students with persistent attendance and behavior problems at school.

7. THE LAWS

8. TWO RECENT LAWS

9. Any pupil subject to compulsory education absent without a valid excuse three full days or tardy or absent more than 30 minutes without a valid excuse Three occasions in one school year In any combination thereof Shallbe reported to the attendance supervisor or the superintendent of the school district. TRUANT DEFINED: EC 48260(a)

10. COUNTING TRUANCIES 3{

11. REQUIRED LANGUAGE Initial notice must include: (See Page 14.) • Pupil is a truant. • Parent is obligated to compel. • Parents may be subject to prosecution. • Alternative ed. programs are available. • Right to meet to discuss solutions. • Pupil may be subject to prosecution. • Pupil’s driving privileges at risk. • Recommended parent attend a full day.

12. SARB MATH: 3 + 1 = 2 1{

13. Reported truant 3 or more times in school year. Before Student Can Be Classified Habitual Truant Notification(s) of Truancy sent. Conscientious effort made to hold at least one conference with parent and pupil. Conscientious Effort: communication with parent attempted at least once. most cost-effective method possible is okay. electronic mail or telephone call permitted. Document, document, document. HABITUAL TRUANT: EC 48262

14. LOOKS LIKE A PATTERN

15. SARB & Truancy Diversion Court Referral Process Interventions Attempted Between Truancy Notice & SART Before SARB School sends letter #1 for truancy (3 days or more) or insubordination School sends letter #2 after next truancy or insubordination School sends letter #3 after any additional truancy or insubordination School notifies SARB chair by completing SARB referral form SARB chair schedules student for SARB and sends registered mail notification to parents NOTE: If student on IEP, an IEP meeting must be held before placement in Alt. Ed. SARB Hearing & Contract Refer to district Independent Study program Refer to other agency: counseling, substance abuse, probation, CPS Refer to district alternative education program Refer to JCCS Programs For More Information Contact: Bob Mueller Director, Student Attendance, Safety & Well-Being San Diego County Office of Education (858) 292-3786 Contract Violation – See DA Filing Criteria. If appropriate, prepare packet & submit to district SARB Chair for Review. SARB Chair Submits Packet for DA Review DA Selects Cases for Court & Notifies Districts

16. 601 Court Truancy Diversion Court SARB Hearing & Contract S.A.R.B. PYRAMID SART Meeting & Written Agreement 3rd Notice: Habitual Truant DOCUMENTED INTERVENTION 2nd Notice of Truancy DOCUMENTED INTERVENTION 1st Notice w/ EC 48260 Required Language

17. SART Site Level Smaller Less Formal Problem Solving Agreement SARB District Level EC 48263 Formal Hearing & Tone Contract FRATERNAL TWINS

18. MULTI-DISCIPLINARY TEAM(Potential Members)

19. Truancy often develops out of poor attendance patterns in early grade levels. Soft Truancy & Chronic Absenteeism frequently signals potential for school dropout! EARLY WARNING SIGNS

20. Address the lack of connectedness kids feel within school. CHKS Data What percentage of kids believe an adult in the school genuinely cares about them? Support kids during transitions. Interventions to re-engage students in schooling. “We Care About You Too Much to Let You Fail.” National Center for School Engagement http://www.schoolengagement.org/ WHAT SCHOOLS CAN DO

21. Sample Student AssistanceMenu of Services for Referral Assessment Services • School Services • Special Needs - Psychological - Emotional - Intellectual - Health screening/ Healthy Start - English Language Proficiency Issues •Outside Assessments - Alcoholism & Other Addictions - Psychological - Physical Other Intervention Services (Team Processes) • Formal Intervention • Student Study Team • Section 504 Team • School Attendance Review Team (SART) • School Attendance Review Board (SARB) • Crisis Intervention Team • Other TruancyMediation Programs • Student Court Disciplinary Options • Partial Schedules • Alternative Scheduling • Saturday/Evening Schools • In-School Suspension • Suspension • Involuntary transfer to Continuation School • Suspended Expulsion • Expulsion • Probation Referral • Court Referral • Law Enforcement

22. Sample Student AssistanceMenu of Services for Referral (continued) Educational (Skills) Component • Insight - Attention Deficit Disorder Courses - “Why Try” Program - Alcohol and other drug use - Disease/Disability Management Courses - Coping Skills - Assertiveness Training - Conflict/Anger Management Training - Bullying Intervention Courses - Self Injury prevention/intervention - Reading/Math Intervention - Crisis Intervention - Suicide intervention - Teen Parenting Classes - Reading Recovery - Mini-Town/Anytown Retreats/ Cultural Sensitivity/Acceptance/ Celebration courses Integrated Support Services • School Counseling • Counseling Groups • Crisis Debriefing • Crisis Safe Rooms • Student Support Groups • Twelve-Step Groups • Peer Resource Services (examples) - assistance - listening - tutoring - buddy systems - adult mentorship • Community Agency • Treatment/Support Groups • Parent/Family Support Groups • Healthy Start • Adult Mentorship Positive Activities • Friday Night Live Clubs • Club Live Clubs • Youth to Youth • Friday Night Live Kids • Rites of Passage • Ropes or “Survival” Courses • Graffiti Clean-up Projects • Restorative Justice Programs • Community Service • Midnight Basketball • Personal Best Physical Fit1ness • Community-Based Youth • Development Activities

23. Kids NEVER Dropout of School All at Once. DROPOUT PREVENTION The SARB Process Provides a Framework for Effective Dropout Prevention. They Just Fade Away…

24. CONTACT INFORMATION Bob Mueller Director Student Attendance, Safety & Well-Being Student Support Services San Diego County Office of Education (858) 292-3786 bmueller@sdcoe.net