How many days can a kid miss school in California?

California Laws about School Attendance Attending school is compulsory for children between the ages of 5 – 18. Per California Education Code §48260, any student who is absent from school without a valid excuse for three full days is truant.

What happens if you miss a lot of school in California?

The Health Department has stated that if a child misses more than 7-10 days of school per year for illness reasons, that student is missing too much. Most daylight juvenile crime is committed by students who are truant. Parents and students may be prosecuted for violating compulsory attendance laws.

How many absences are allowed in a school year in California high school?

Consistent daily attendance is critical for a student's academic success. The State of California considers ten days of absences for one school year, for any reason, excessive. Another important consideration is California's policy of positive attendance reporting.

Can my child miss school for vacation in California?

Under the CA Education Code, absences are excused for a few explicit reasons, such as illness, medical appointments, funerals, court appearances and possibly a couple of other compelling reasons. Vacations are explicitly excluded and included in the list of absences that are unexcused.

What is an excused absence from school in California?

CA Education Code 48205 states that a student shall be excused from school when the absence is: Due to the pupil's illness, including an absence for the benefit of the pupil's mental or behavioral health.

How many days can a kid miss school in California?

How many absences is illegal in California?

The California Legislature defined a truant in very precise language. In summary, it states that a student missing more than 30 minutes of instruction without an excuse three times during the school year must be classified as a truant and reported to the proper school authority.

What is California excused absence policy?

Section 48205 - Excused absences from school (a) Notwithstanding Section 48200, a pupil shall be excused from school when the absence is: (1) Due to the pupil's illness, including an absence for the benefit of the pupil's mental or behavioral health.

What happens if my child misses more than 10 days of school in California?

Students who are chronically truant can face repercussions at school. Most schools in California have created School Attendance Review Boards (SARBs). These Boards have wide discretion to take action to keep a minor in school.

Do children have to attend school in California?

California's compulsory education laws require children between six and eighteen years of age to attend school, with a limited number of specified exceptions.

Does my child have to go to school in California?

Since school is mandatory for six-year-old students, parents and guardians must enroll their children in school once they reach the age of six (EC Section 48200). It is a local decision, with parental input, whether the six-year-old student will be enrolled in kindergarten or first grade.

Is mental health an excusable absence?

Did you know that under a 2021 California law, public school students can take up to five days of excused absences for mental health, no questions asked?

What is chronic absenteeism California?

A "chronic absentee" has been defined in Education Code Section 60901(c)(1) as "a pupil who is absent on 10 percent or more of the schooldays in the school year when the total number of days a pupil is absent is divided by the total number of days the pupil is enrolled and school was actually taught in the regular day ...

Is going to a funeral an excused absence?

(7) For justifiable personal reasons, including, but not limited to, an appearance in court, attendance at a funeral service, observance of a holiday or ceremony of the pupil's religion, attendance at religious retreats, attendance at an employment conference, or attendance at an educational conference on the ...

How long can you not go to school in California?

I'm a high school teacher and administrator in California. You have 30 days to clear the absence. After that it becomes a truancy, no matter the reason. No school is going to request that you notify them in advance of an absence, unless it was a planned absence, such as going out of town, or a doctor's appointment.

Is it illegal to not go to school in California?

California compulsory education law requires everyone between the ages of six and eighteen years of age to attend school, except students who have graduated from high school or passed the California High School Proficiency Exam and obtained parental permission.

What happens if my child refuses to go to school in California?

A violation of Penal Code 270.1 is charged as a misdemeanor (as opposed to a California felony or an infraction). The crime is punishable by: imprisonment in the county jail for not more than one year; and/or, a maximum fine of $2,000.

What is educational neglect in California?

Education is considered one of these necessities, and failure to ensure a child's school attendance can be illegal in some cases. Under California Penal Code Section 270.1(a) PC, it is against the law for a parent to inadequately supervise a pupil's school attendance.

Is it illegal for a child to not go to school in the US?

According to the law, it is illegal to not send a child to school. Again, while these requirements may differ based on the state, every state has a law that requires children to attend school.

Is school free in California?

The California Constitution has guaranteed children in our state a system of free schools since 1879.

What are the consequences of chronic absenteeism in California?

Truancy and school discipline are associated with a host of negative consequences, including a decline in academic achievement, a greater likelihood of dropping out of school, poor health and well-being outcomes, and an increased risk of involvement in the juvenile justice system.

Why do schools care about attendance?

Students who miss more than 18 days of school are less proficient in reading, writing and math compared to their peers with good attendance. Students who do not learn the fundamentals of reading, writing and math by third grade are more likely to fall behind and are less likely to graduate high school.

Do teachers lose money when students are absent?

Beginning in 1998, school districts no longer receive funding from the State of California for pupils who are absent from school. This includes all absences, even those relating to illness, medical or doctors' appointments.

What are three 3 reasons for which an absence or absences may be considered excused?

What is the education code for attendance in California?

Pursuant to California Education Code § 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 schoolday without a valid ...

What is an excusable absence?

Definition. An excused absence is a period of administratively authorized absence from official duties without loss of pay and without charge to an employee's leave account.