School Attendance Review Board (SARB)

The School Attendance Review Board (SARB) process in California is a structured approach designed to help students who are struggling with attendance issues and to prevent further educational disengagement. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the SARB process:

1. Identification of Attendance Problems: The process begins at the school level, where attendance issues are initially identified. Schools are required to track student attendance closely and are the first to notice patterns of absences or tardiness.

2. Interventions at School Site: Before a referral to the SARB, schools typically implement various interventions to address attendance issues. These can include counseling, attendance monitoring, and parent-teacher conferences, among others.

3. Referral to SARB: If school-level interventions are unsuccessful, and the student continues to exhibit chronic absenteeism or truancy, the case may be referred to the SARB. Referral criteria typically include a specific number of unexcused absences or tardies.

4. SARB Meeting: Once referred, a SARB meeting is scheduled, where the student and their parents or guardians meet with the SARB panel. This panel usually includes representatives from various sectors such as school administrators, counselors, social workers, and sometimes law enforcement and community agencies.

5. Development of an Action Plan: During the SARB meeting, the panel works with the student and family to understand the reasons behind the attendance issues and to develop an action plan. This plan is tailored to the student’s specific needs and may include academic support, counseling, community services, or health-related interventions.

6. Monitoring and Follow-up: After the meeting, the SARB monitors the student's progress according to the action plan. Follow-up meetings may be scheduled to assess progress and make adjustments to the plan if necessary.

7. Further Actions: If compliance with the SARB action plan does not result in improved attendance, further actions may be taken. These can include referrals to community services or, in severe cases, legal action.

8. Documentation and Reporting: Throughout the process, detailed records are kept regarding the interventions used, the action plan developed, and the outcomes. These records are important for providing continuity of support and for legal compliance.

The SARB process is designed to be supportive, using a multi-disciplinary approach to help students overcome barriers to regular school attendance. The ultimate goal is to ensure that students receive the education they are entitled to and to prevent the escalation of attendance issues into more serious legal matters. For more specific details, you can refer to the State School Attendance Review Board Handbook which outlines the protocols and procedures for managing school attendance issues.