• Education Code, Section 48200. Students between the ages of 6 and 18 must attend school

• Education Code, Section 48260. A student is habitually truant when he/she is absent from school without an excuse three full days in one school year or tardy or absent for more than any 30 minute period during the school day three times.

• Education Code, Section 48263. Truant students may be referred to SARB

• Education Code, Section 4821. Under the SARB directive, the district may file a criminal complaint against the parent or guardians of a student , when they have willfully failed to respond to SAR directives or services provided.

• Education Code, Section 48293(a). A parent or guardian may be held responsible if a student does not follow the SARB contract.

Board Policy (BP) 5113.12. The Superintendent or designee shall establish a comprehensive and integrated system for the early identification of attendance problems shall implement strategies to encourage students’ attendance. After other interventions have been exhausted, students with a pattern of unexcused absences may be referred to a school attendance review board (SARB), in accordance with applicable law, in order to receive intensive guidance and assistance.

What is SARB?

In 1974, the Legislature enacted California Education Code (EC) Section 48320 to enhance the enforcement of compulsory education laws and to divert students with issues surrounding  school attendance or behavior from the juvenile justice system until all available resources have been exhausted. EC Section 48321 provides several organizational structures for SARBs at the local and county level to create a safety net for students with persistent issues with attendance or behavior. Although the goal of SARBs is to keep students in school and provide them with a meaningful educational experience, SARBs do have the power, when necessary, to refer students and their parents or guardians to court.

Purpose of SARB

The purpose of SARB is to collectively discuss and develop solutions to resolve the attendance issues to connect families to available resources, and to create a contract in which all members agree and commit to ensure positive student attendance and overall achievement and success in school.​​​​​​​

 What happens during a SARB Hearing?

• The school administrator or counselor reports on the attendance record
• SARB members ask the student and parent to explain why the student is not going to school
• SARB members make recommendations to assist the family and student

What can SARB recommend for students?

• Help for students to reengage in school with school-connectedness staff and resources

• Counseling programs for the student and/or family

• Parenting classes to support the family 

• A student transfer to an alternative school or program

• Assistance from other agencies and programs (counseling, restorative justice, and mental health)

What is CARE Court?

CARE Court is primarily for parents of students in grades Kindergarten through 8th grade. In this truancy court for parents, the CARE Court partners approach truancy cases with a focus on problem-solving through collaboration.  CARE stands for Court for Achieving Reengagement with Education. 

Who might be referred to CARE Court?

If the SARB process is unsuccessful, and further support is needed for the family, a referral may be made to CARE Court.

Who are CARE Court partners?

Partners in CARE Court collaborate with parents to re-engage their child/children in school. CARE Court partners can include:

• Deputy District Attorney
• Dedicated judge
• Social worker from Behavioral Health Services Dept. (BHSD)
• Education partners from the district or school 
• A Family Navigator