Child Welfare & Attendance

Child Welfare & Attendance Department

David Houck
Senior Director, Child Welfare & Attendance
Houck.D@mcs4kids.com
(209) 574-1595

Attendance Policy

What does the law say about school attendance?

Compulsory attendance is required by California Education Code 46010 and mandates that all students ages six through 18 attend school regularly. A student with three or more unexcused absences or tardies in excess of 30 minutes violates this code and is considered a truant. Districts are required to refer habitually truant students to the School Attendance Review Board (SARB) for remediation. If the student continues to miss school after attendance at SARB, the student and/or parents will be referred to the District Attorney for prosecution.

What does Modesto City Schools District do to prevent attendance problems?

  • Phone calls to verify absences.

  • Home visits to discuss attendance problems.

  • Letters to notify parents of excessive absences.

  • Student/parent meetings with administrator or attendance liaison.

  • School Attendance Review Board (SARB) hearing

  • If all else fails, referral to District Attorney.

Attendance Policy

Why is it important to attend school?

Every day counts in a child's education. Each day a student misses school, he gets more than two days behind his peers because he must make up missed learning and catch up with new learning at the same time. Every day a student is in school, she raises her chance to score well on tests. Every day a student goes to school, he learns a little more about responsibility. Every day counts toward funding for school supplies too. Every day a student misses school, even for excused absences, the school loses about $35 in income.

What can parents do to prevent attendance problems?

  • Stress with your child the importance of regular school attendance.

  • Teach your child to be on time for school each day.

  • Maintain reasonable and regular bedtime hours on school nights.

  • Schedule doctor/dentist appointments before or after school hours.

  • Bring your child to school before and/or after daytime doctor appointments.

  • Plan family vacations when your child is off track.