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California Statutes and Regulations

California statutes and regulations pertaining to school attendance review boards (SARBs).

Compulsory Attendance Laws
Definition of Chronic Absenteeism
Pupil Exemptions
Independent Study
Apportionment Formulas and Determination of Revenue Limits
Excused Absences
Supervisors of Attendance
Children in Families on Public Assistance
Access to Student Records
School Attendance Review Board
Caregiver’s Authorization Affidavit
Business and Official Records
School Attendance Review Board Meetings
Hearsay Evidence
Investigations and Enforcement of Compulsory Education Laws against Parents
California Welfare and Institutions Code
Status Offenses

Compulsory Attendance Laws

Children Between the Ages Six and Eighteen
California Education Code (EC) Section 48200 External link opens in new window or tab.

Definition of Truant
EC Section 48260 External link opens in new window or tab.

Contents of First Truancy Notice to Parents or Guardians
EC Section 48260.5 External link opens in new window or tab.

Subsequent Report of Truancy
EC Section 48261 External link opens in new window or tab.

Habitual Truant
EC Section 48262 External link opens in new window or tab.

Referral to SARB or Truancy Mediation Program
EC Section 48263 External link opens in new window or tab.

Notice to District Attorney or Probation Officer
EC Section 48263.5 External link opens in new window or tab.

Definition of a Chronic Truant
EC Section 48263.6 External link opens in new window or tab.

Arrest of Truants
EC Section 48264 External link opens in new window or tab.

Penalties to Minor for First Through Fourth Truancies
EC Section 48264.5 External link opens in new window or tab.

Delivery of Truant
EC Section 48265 External link opens in new window or tab.

Report by Arresting Officer
EC Section 48266 External link opens in new window or tab.

Truants, Disorderly Students or Persons Required to Attend School Programs as a Condition of Probation
EC Section 48267 External link opens in new window or tab.

Order to Parent to Deliver Student to School for Remainder of School Term
EC Section 48268 External link opens in new window or tab.

Report to County Superintendent of Schools of Needed SARB Information
EC Section 48273 External link opens in new window or tab.

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Definition of Chronic Absenteeism

Chronic Absentee Defined
EC Section 60901(c)(1) External link opens in new window or tab.

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Pupil Exemptions

Classes of Children Exempted
EC Section 48220 External link opens in new window or tab.

Attendance in a Private School
EC Section 48222 External link opens in new window or tab.

Mentally Gifted Children
EC Section 48223 External link opens in new window or tab.

Instruction by Tutor
EC Section 48224 External link opens in new window or tab.

Contracts to Secure Tutoring for Children Working in the Entertainment or Allied Industries
EC Section 48225 External link opens in new window or tab.

Work Permits for Students in the Entertainment Industry
EC Section 48225.5 External link opens in new window or tab.

Compulsory Part-time Classes
EC Section 48230 External link opens in new window or tab.

Entrance into Attendance Area within 10 Schooldays of End of School Term
EC Section 48231 External link opens in new window or tab.

Leave of Absence of Student of Fifteen
EC Section 48232 External link opens in new window or tab.

Leave of Absence; Pupil Between the Ages Sixteen and Eighteen
EC Section 48416 External link opens in new window or tab.

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Independent Study

Policy Requirements for Independent Study
EC Section 51747 External link opens in new window or tab.

Students with Temporary Disabilities
EC Section 48206.3 External link opens in new window or tab.

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Apportionment Formulas and Determination of Revenue Limits

Determination of Revenue Limits for Each School District; Formula; Apportionment
EC Section 42238 External link opens in new window or tab.

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Excused Absences

Excused Absences
EC Section 48205 External link opens in new window or tab.

Verification of Absence Due to Illness and Other Causes
California Code of Regulations, Title 5, Section 421 External link opens in new window or tab.

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Supervisors of Attendance

Appointment and Duties for Supervisors of Attendance
EC Section 48240 External link opens in new window or tab.

Certification of Supervisor of Attendance
EC Section 48241 External link opens in new window or tab.

District Supervisor
EC Section 48242 External link opens in new window or tab.

Employment by More Than One School District
EC Section 48243 External link opens in new window or tab.

Contracts for Supervisors of Attendance; Transfer of Funds
EC Section 48244 External link opens in new window or tab.

Certification of District Supervisor
EC Section 48245 External link opens in new window or tab.

Entry into Place of Employment
EC Section 48246 External link opens in new window or tab.

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Children in Families on Public Assistance

Children in Families on Public Assistance
California Welfare and Institutions Code (WIC) Section 11253.5 External link opens in new window or tab.

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Access to Student Records

Access to Student Records
EC Section 49076 External link opens in new window or tab.

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School Attendance Review Board

School Attendance Review Boards
EC Section 48320 External link opens in new window or tab.

SARB Membership
EC Section 48321 External link opens in new window or tab.

County SARB Community Resources
EC Section 48322 External link opens in new window or tab.

SARB Representatives
EC Section 48323 External link opens in new window or tab.

County SARB Regulations
EC Section 48324 External link opens in new window or tab.

State SARB
EC Section 48325 External link opens in new window or tab.

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Caregiver's Authorization Affidavit

Caregiver’s Authorization Affidavit
California Family Code Section 6550 External link opens in new window or tab.

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Business and Official Records

“A Business”
California Evidence Code (EVID) Section 1270 External link opens in new window or tab.

Business Record
EVID Section 1271 External link opens in new window or tab.

Absence of Entry in Business Record
EVID Section 1272 External link opens in new window or tab.

Record by a Public Employee
EVID Section 1280 External link opens in new window or tab.

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School Attendance Review Board Meetings

Legislative Bodies (includes SARBs)
California Government Code (GC) Section 54952 External link opens in new window or tab.

Right to Record Open Session of SARB Meetings
GC Section 54953.5 External link opens in new window or tab.

Confidentiality of Closed Session Items on SARB Agenda
GC Section 54954.5 External link opens in new window or tab.

Employer Requirements to Allow Certain Employees to Attend School Conferences
California Labor Code Section 230.8 External link opens in new window or tab.

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Hearsay Evidence

General Provisions

Hearsay Evidence Rule
EVID Section 1200 External link opens in new window or tab.

Multiple Hearsay
EVID Section 1201 External link opens in new window or tab.

Credibility of Hearsay Declarant
EVID Section 1202 External link opens in new window or tab.

Cross-examination of Hearsay Declarant
EVID Section 1203 External link opens in new window or tab.

Hearsay Statements Admissible at Preliminary Hearing
EVID Section 1203.1 External link opens in new window or tab.

Hearsay Statement Offered Against Criminal Defendant
EVID Section 1204 External link opens in new window or tab.

No Implied Repeal
EVID Section 1205 External link opens in new window or tab.

Exceptions to the Hearsay Rule

Admission of Party
EVID Section 1220 External link opens in new window or tab.

Adoptive Admission
EVID Section 1221 External link opens in new window or tab.

Authorized Admission
EVID Section 1222 External link opens in new window or tab.

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Investigations and Enforcement of Compulsory Education Laws against Parents

Required Full and Impartial School Attendance Investigations
EC Section 48290 External link opens in new window or tab.

Required Referral of Parents to SARB and Required District Referrals to Law Enforcement
EC Section 48291 External link opens in new window or tab.

Penalties against Parents
EC Section 48293 External link opens in new window or tab.

Compulsory Education Penalties for Parents of Chronic Truants
California Penal Code (PC) Section 270.1 External link opens in new window or tab.

Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor
PC Section 272 External link opens in new window or tab.

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California Welfare and Institutions Code

Children within the Jurisdiction of the Juvenile Court
WIC Section 300 External link opens in new window or tab.

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Status Offenses

Ward of the Court
WIC Section 601 External link opens in new window or tab.

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Questions:   Educational Options Office | cwa@cde.ca.gov
Last Reviewed: Thursday, July 03, 2025
Recently Posted in Attendance Improvement
  • Community Resources (added 03-Jul-2025)
    Resources for local educational agency school attendance review boards (SARBs), students, and families.