Attendance and Truancy
ATTENDANCE
Going to school every day is very important for your child’s success. In California, students go to school about 180 days each year, so every day of learning counts.
The State of California believes that education is essential for children and for our future. State law requires parents and guardians to ensure that children ages 6 to 18 attend school regularly. Parents who fail to meet this obligation may be prosecuted. (Ed. Code 48200, 48290)
Schools must keep accurate attendance records. These records are used to report to the state and to determine how much funding each school district receives—this accounts for most of the money that supports our schools. Mistakes in attendance reporting can cost the district significant funds. Everyone—parents, students, and school staff—must work together to ensure attendance is accurate and up to date so students can learn and schools can continue to be well-supported.
Reporting Absences
If your child will be absent or late, please call the school’s attendance number before school starts that day. When your child returns to school, they should bring a written note signed by a parent or guardian. The note should include:
- The date you are writing the note
- Your child’s full name
- The teacher’s name and grade
- The date(s) your child was absent
- The reason for the absence
- The name and relationship of the person notifying the school
If an absence is not cleared within the school’s time limit, it will be marked as truancy (an unexcused absence).
Verification of Illness (Ed. Code 46011)
The statewide average absence rate for typical childhood illnesses is 5 days. The Cambrian School District allows each parent to excuse up to 10 days of absence without verification of illness from a medical professional or a school employee. Anytime your child has a doctor’s appointment and/or documentation requiring them to stay home from school, provide this immediately when your student returns to school. These absences will be recorded and verified.
Students too ill to attend school after 10 days are required to bring verification of illness from a medical professional on their return to school. If your child is under the regular care of a physician for a serious or chronic condition, or they are directed to stay home by a medical professional before the 10 days are reached, you should provide the verification at that time. Absences due to illness not verified after 10 days will be marked unexcused and may subject the student and/or parents to compulsory education law guidelines.
Chronic Illness
If your student has a diagnosed chronic illness, you may receive a physician’s authorization to excuse absences for your child. The form requires the treating physician to verify the diagnosis and list symptoms that would not necessitate an office visit, but require the student to remain home from school. With this authorization, the parent sends a note upon the child's return to school, listing one or more of the symptoms the physician has identified. These absences are considered verified. Please notify the district office if your child has a chronic illness.
Absences Allowed by Law (Ed. Code 46010, 48205)
It is important for parents to let the school know whenever their child is absent. However, under state law, an absence is considered ‘excused’ only for the reasons listed below:
- Illness: A child is too ill to attend school, or if they have a contagious condition, a temperature of over 100, symptoms of vomiting or diarrhea, or written orders from a doctor to stay at home. If the child is ill for 10 days or more, the school may require a note from a physician documenting the illness and the need for the child to stay home.
- Due to quarantine under the direction of a county or city health official.
- For the purpose of having medical, dental, optometrical, and chiropractic services rendered.
- For the purpose of attending the funeral services or grieving the death of a family member, or of a person that is determined by the student's parent or guardian to be in such close association with the student, as to be considered the student's immediate family, so long as the absence is not more than five days per incident.
- For justifiable personal reasons must be made in writing by the parent or guardian and approved by the principal or a designated representative in advance, including but not limited to:
- An appearance or appearance in court
- Attendance at a funeral service
- Observance of a holiday or ceremony of the student's religion (Day of the event or ceremony)
- Attendance at a religious retreat (Shall not exceed one school day per semester)
- Attendance at a parent or guardian's employment conference
- Justifiable personal absences must be requested in writing by the parent or guardian and approved by the principal or a designated representative.
Most absences are considered unexcused, even if the parent or guardian calls or notifies the school. For some allowable absences, the parent or guardian must request the absence in writing in advance and have it approved by the principal.
Whether the absence is excused or unexcused, the state only provides daily funding if a student is actually at school.
Making up Work After an Excused Absence
If a student is absent for an excused reason, they may complete all assignments and tests they missed, provided it is reasonably possible. Teachers will make sure the make-up work and tests are fair and equivalent to what the student missed, even if they are not exactly the same. Students who complete their make-up work on time and satisfactorily will receive full credit.
Independent Study (short-term)
Independent study is optional for students and must be approved by the school principal or their designee per board policy 6158. Students with disabilities must contact their child's case manager to participate in independent study before beginning. Families must submit a request to their school principal to seek approval. In special situations, the superintendent or their designee may approve a shorter request time. Attendance, academic progress, and discipline records will be reviewed as part of the approval process.
Confidential Medical Services Ed. Code 46010.1
By law, a student may be excluded from school for the purpose of obtaining confidential medical services without the consent of the student’s parent or guardian. Otherwise, it is the practice of the Cambrian School District not to release students without parental consent.
Home and Hospital-Bound Students (Ed. Code 48206.3-48208)
Students who are unable to attend school due to serious injury or illness for a period of three weeks or more may be provided home instruction. The student’s condition must be verified by a physician. Students with mental health conditions must present authorization from a physical and a treatment plan from their therapist.
A student with a temporary physical, mental, or emotional disability who is hospitalized or receiving care in a residential health facility, excluding state hospitals, may receive individual instruction from the school district in which the facility is located. The parent or guardian is responsible for notifying the school district about the student’s need for educational services. Contact the district to obtain information about other available educational alternatives.
TRUANCY
State law defines a truant as a student who has an unexcused absence or is more than 30 minutes tardy three or more days in the one school year. Truant students and their parents are in violation of the law and are subject to prosecution and other penalties. (Ed. Code 48260, 48273)
Truancy/Excessive Absence Notification (Ed. Code 48620.5, 46011)
Written notices of truancy and excessive absences are required by law. Parents will receive a letter if their child has the equivalent of at least 3 days of unexcused absences or truancies. A second letter will be sent if the child has the equivalent of at least 2 additional days of unexcused absences or truancies. A parent conference will be required with the school administrator to discuss the child’s absences and how the school can work with the family to ensure the child’s success in school. Parents will receive a third letter if a child has the equivalent of at least two additional days absent or truant. Additional parent conferences and/or referral to the Student Study Team process may be necessary in order to discuss the child’s absences and how the school can work with the family to ensure the child’s success in school.
Attendance Hearing (Ed. Code 48320, 48325)
When a student is truant and has excessive absences, the parents and the child may be required to attend a hearing before the School Attendance Review Board (SARB). The principal of the school may also attend the hearing. The purpose of the hearing is to discuss the child’s attendance record and develop a plan for the child’s regular participation in an educational program.
Referral to Santa Clara County Office of Education and/or District Attorney
If a child’s school attendance does not improve after a SARB hearing, or if the parents fail to attend a required SARB hearing, the parents and the child may be referred to the Santa Clara County Office of Education for mediation and/or the District Attorney’s Office for prosecution through the court system. Students 12 years of age and older may be referred to the Juvenile Court for adjudication.
RESOURCES