Truancy Reduction Program

A Partnership of:
 truancy logos: logos

Objective of the Truancy Reduction Program is:

  • To stress the importance of regular school attendance and resolve student school attendance problems.

Goals of the Truancy Reduction Program are to:

  • Increase daily school attendance and reduce absences.
  • Hold parents accountable for their child's regular school attendance.
  • Reduce juvenile daytime crime.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Truancy:

  • An initial "truancy" is defined as three (3) unexcused absences from a full-time or continuation school within a single school year (Education Code section 48260).

What is an "habitual truant"?

  • An "habitual truant" is defined as a student who has had at least six (6) unexcused absences during a single school year (Education Code sections 48260,48261 and 48262)

What should the school do about habitual truancies?

  • An "habitual truant" should be referred to the school site STEP Program for counseling and truancy reduction.

What charges may be filed against the parent(s)/guardian?

  • An infraction (Education Code section 4239) may be filed against the parent/guardian of a student truant from a full-time public school.
  • A misdemeanor complaint may be filed against the parent/guardian of a student attending a continuation school (Education Code section 48454).
  • A misdemeanor complaint may be filed against a parent/guardian in cases of enabling or promoting truancy (Penal Code section 272, Contributing to the Delinquency of a minor).

What charges may be filed against the student?

  • An infraction under Welfare and Institutions Code 601 (b) may be filed against the truant student.
  • Penalties against the student may include: 20 to 40 hours of community service work; weekend work or school; a $100 fine; attendance at a truancy prevention program; and suspension/revocation of driving privileges (ages 13 to 18)

What penalties may be applied to the parent(s)/guardian?

  • A fine of $100 to $500 and/or parenting classes
  • For a misdemeanor, the penalties may include a fine of $50 to $500; 5 to 25 days in jail with up to one-year probation; and parenting classes
  • Contributing to the delinquency of a minor under the age of 18 years is punishable as a misdemeanor by imprisonment in a county jail for up to one year; by a fine of up to $2500; and up to five (5) years probation (Penal Code section 272)

STEP POLICY

The following STEPS are a series of escalating interventions in place at the individual KHSD schools. These STEPS are meant to reduce truancy and therefore, increase student achievement.

Step 1 - Student contacted and counseled by attendance specialist. Parent notified.

Step 2 - Student contacted and counseled by attendance specialist. Parent notified.

Step 3 - Parent conference in Dean's office. Probation contract must be signed.

Step 4 - Conference with probation officer. Community Service will be assigned.

Step 5 - Student and parent may be referred to the KHSD Student Attendance Review Board OR Student may be issued a citation to appear in court.

Step 6 - Student citation to Court OR Possible prosecution of parent.

If these school STEPS fail, the KHSD School may refer the student/guardian to the District Attorney for prosecution.

Did you know...
Welfare and Institutions Code section 11253.5 authorizes the County CalWORKS office to re-duce a family welfare grant if it is determined that the child is not "regularly attending school as required."

For more information contact: Kern High School District (661) 827-3100

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