Truancy Sweeps

 

A truancy sweep is a mobile team of professionals who care about the overall success of students.  Teams may include school administrators, counselors, teachers, support staff, law enforcement, and more.

 

They conduct home visits as a positive intervention tool to identify barriers to student attendance, foster positive partnerships, and access to support resources.  Teams focus on students that are nearing their 9th absence (72 periods) which prompts Truancy Letter No. 3.

 

The California Department of Education defines chronic absenteeism as a student being absent for 10 percent or more school days.  This includes both excused and unexcused absences.

 

To prevent chronic absenteeism, truancy letters and other steps may be arranged, according to state law (CA Ed. Code Section 48260.5).  The LUSD process is as follows:

 

• After three all day absences (TK-8^th) or 24 period absences (9^th-12^th): Letter No. 1 is sent to parent email and mailing address. Student and parent are contacted by school staff and notified that the student has been identified as a truant.
• After 6 all day absences (TK-8^th) or 48 period absences (9^th-12^th): Letter No. 2 is sent to parent email and mailing address. A mandatory Student Attendance Review Team Meeting will be held with a school site administrator, to provide resources and develop an action plan.
• After 9 all day absences (TK-8^th) or 72 period absences (9^th-12^th): Letter No. 3 is sent to parent email and mailing address. Students are referred to the Student Attendance Review Board for intervention and additional support.