Compulsory Education Law

Education Code (Ed. Code)

Students must be in school to take advantage of the educational opportunities available to them. The California Legislature defines a truant in very precise language.

Education Code Section 48200:

“Each person between the ages of 6 and 18 years...is subject to compulsory full-time education. Each person subject to compulsory full-time education and each person subject to compulsory continuation education...shall attend the public full-time day school...for the full time designated as the length of the school day...and each parent, guardian, or other person having control or charge of such pupil shall send the pupil to the public full-time day school...for the full time designated as the length of the school day.”

Education Code Section 48260:

“Any pupil subject to compulsory full-time education or to compulsory continuation education who is absent from school without a valid excuse three days or tardy or absent more than any 30 minute period during the day without a valid excuse on three occasions in one school year, or any combination thereof, is a truant and shall be reported to the attendance supervisor or the superintendent of the school district.”

Truancy may result in:

              Detention

              Friday or Saturday School

              Referral to the District Attorney Truancy Parent Meeting

              Referral to the School Attendance Review Board (SARB)

              Referral to Probation and/or Juvenile Court

It is the responsibility of parents and students to comply with California's Compulsory Education Law.