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School Attendance Review Board (S.A.R.B.)
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What is S.A.R.B.?
- The School Attendance Review Board (S.A.R.B.) is an interagency group authorized by California law that assists families experiencing school truancy, attendance, and behavioral problems to find solutions by providing resources and guidelines. (Education Code Section 48320 et seq.)
- The goal of the S.A.R.B. is to help families comply with California’s compulsory attendance laws. To achieve this goal, the law provides for a multi-agency S.A.R.B. that includes the following agencies: Student and family services, Probation, Student welfare and attendance personnel, School Nurse, and Mental Health representatives
- In 1974, the Legislature enacted Education Code Section 48320 to enhance the enforcement of compulsory attendance laws. This legislation made way for the establishment of the School Attendance Review Board (SARB) that became operative in 1975.
- Student Services utilizes SARB to provide coordinated services between the school, community agencies and the home, in an effort to resolve attendance problems.
Frequently Asked Questions About Truancy
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What is the legal definition of a truant student?
EC Section 48260 (a) A pupil subject to compulsory full-time education or to compulsory continuation education who is absent from school without a valid excuse three full days in one school year or tardy or absent for more than a 30-minute period during the school day without a valid excuse on three occasions in one school year, or any combination thereof, shall be classified as a truant and shall be reported to the attendance supervisor or to the superintendent of the school district.
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What is a habitual truant?
A student is deemed a habitual truant when he or she has been reported as a truant three or more times per school year. The school district must make a conscientious effort to hold at least one conference with a parent or guardian of the student and the student himself, after the filing of reports (Section 48260 or Section 48261. (Amend. Stats. 1976, Ch. 1010) E.C. 48262)
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When are truancy letters sent?
Truancy letters are sent to parents informing them that their child has reached three (3), four (4), or five (5) unexcused absences. The truancy notification letters are based on the attendance information that is entered in the district computer system. This information is based on the explanation provided by the parent for their child’s absence. (E.C. 48260.5)
