Suspension/Expulsion

Grounds for which a pupil may be suspended from school or recommended for expulsion are defined in California Education Code. Mandatory expulsions are identified in Education Code (EC) 48915(c). The County Office of Education School Board hears appeals of local district suspension and expulsion decisions.

School Attendance Review Board (SARB)

California Education Code Section 48200 requires everyone between six and eighteen years of age to attend school, except for those who have graduated from high school, passed the California High School Proficiency Exam (CHSPE) and obtained parental permission to leave, or are subject to specific waivers. In our state and county, however, many students with poor attendance or behavior are falling behind and/or dropping out of school. Some children never enroll in school or do not re-enroll after a move. Quick and effective action is needed to stop this trend. Truancy and excessive absenteeism are not new problems but they are costly, long-term problems for students, schools, and the community.

Prevention and early intervention are the most effective strategies to improve school attendance and reduce truancy. Building a positive and inviting school climate, communicating high expectations for attendance and involving parents, students and staff members in these efforts are the basics for achieving school attendance goals. Consistent efforts should be made at the classroom and school level before referring families to the district level or to the courts. Each school or district should have in place a Site Attendance Review Team (SART) or a Student Success Team (SST) to address student and family needs prior to a time when more serious action would need to be taken.

For pupils with continued attendance or behavioral problems, the School Attendance Review Board (SARB) process is a systematic, collaborative approach to meeting their needs. EC Sections 48320-48325 provide the structures for the School Attendance Review Boards (SARBs) at the district level to create a safety net for students with persistent attendance or behavior problems.