Is My Child A Truant?
By Michelle Ball, California Education Attorney for Students since 1995 Being labelled a "truant" (a pupil breaching the laws mandating school attendance) can be devastating to a family. The process may lead to meetings with school officials or even a School Attendance Review Board (SARB) hearing with a rigorous contract imposed on the family and even court action. This is definitely something to be avoided if possible. As such, the basics of what makes a student into a truant must be understood by parents and students. California Education Code section 48260 sets forth the definition of a truant as follows: a) Any pupil who is subject to the compulsory education laws, AND b) Who is absent from school without valid excuse, c) Within one school year for: 1) Three full days OR 2) Three times for more than 30 minutes during the school day OR 3) A combination of both (#c1 or c2) If three unexcused absences occur in one school year, and t...