The California Department of Education has recognized the Anaheim Elementary School District, Ocean View School District and Orange Unified School District for their efforts to reduce chronic absenteeism and increase student attendance.
The three local districts were among 16 statewide honored as Model School Attendance Review Boards (SARBs).
“Students can’t learn if they aren’t in class. The role of these school attendance champions is critical to ensuring that kids are in school each day and those students who are having attendance problems are properly supported,” state Superintendent Tom Torlakson said in a news release. “These dedicated professionals are creating a cohesive and collaborative circle between the parent, the school, and the community.”
These districts were selected using statewide chronic absenteeism data, collected for the first time in December. The data helps educators better track chronic absenteeism patterns in schools, districts and counties across the state. Chronic absenteeism is defined as students who miss more than 10 percent of the days they’re supposed to be enrolled in school.
Model SARBs districts are using absenteeism data with their partners to target where resources are needed most, Torlakson said. Their strategies can be models for counties and districts with high concentrations of chronic absenteeism.
The Model SARB awards will be presented at the California Association of Supervisors of Child Welfare and Attendance State Conference on May 9, 2018, in Fresno.