City Wide Organized Walk Out by LAUSD Students is Truancy

There are three sections of the Education Code - Article 5 dealing with truancy and arrests, which may apply tomorrow during the district wide walkout of classes by students to support the local and national organizations protesting ICE. Whether the walk-out by students was encouraged, enlightened, or can be owned by teachers and staff will be up to parents and law enforcement to determine.

The walkout may jeopardize the students, during the rest of the year, because of the narrow parameters according to 48260(a) of the definition of truancy. Including the "or absent for more than a 30-minute period during the school day without a valid excuse on three occasions in one school year,"

Education Code - EDC TITLE 2, DIVISION 4,  PART 27,  CHAPTER 2, ARTICLE 5. Codes Display Text

48260(a) A pupil subject to compulsory full-time education or to compulsory continuation education who is absent from school without a valid excuse 

• three full days in one school year 
• or tardy 
• or absent for more than a 30-minute period during the school day without a valid excuse on three occasions in one school year, 
• or any combination thereof, 

shall be classified as a truant and shall be reported to the attendance supervisor or to the superintendent of the school district.

48260.5

Upon a pupil’s initial classification as a truant, the school district shall notify the pupil’s parent or guardian using the most cost-effective method possible, which may include email or a telephone call:

(a) That the pupil is truant.
(b) That the parent or guardian is obligated to compel the attendance of the pupil at school.
(c) That alternative educational programs are available in the school district.
(d) That the parent or guardian has the right to meet with appropriate school personnel to discuss solutions to the pupil’s truancy.
(e) That mental health and supportive services may be available to the pupil and the family.
(f) That school personnel are available to meet with the pupil and family to develop strategies to support the pupil’s attendance at school.
(g) That research shows that missing 10 percent of school for any reason can translate into pupils having difficulty learning to read by third grade, achieving in middle school, and graduating from high school.
(h) This section shall become operative on July 1, 2025.

(Repealed (in Sec. 1) and added by Stats. 2024, Ch. 863, Sec. 2. (SB 691) Effective January 1, 2025. Operative July 1, 2025, by its own provisions.)

48265. Any person arresting or assuming temporary custody of a minor pursuant to Section 48264 shall forthwith deliver the minor
either to the parent, guardian,
or other person having control, or charge of the minor,
or to the school from which the minor is absent,
or to a nonsecure youth service or community center designated by the school or district for counseling prior to returning such minor to his home or school,
or to a school counselor or pupil services and attendance officer located at a police station for the purpose of obtaining immediate counseling from the counselor or officer prior to returning or being returned to his home or school,
or, if the minor is found to have been declared an habitual truant,
he shall cause the minor to be brought before the probation officer of the county having jurisdiction over minors.

enacted by Stats. 1976, Ch. 1010:

TITLE 2. ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION [33000 - 65001]
DIVISION 4. INSTRUCTION AND SERVICES [46000 - 65001]
PART 27. PUPILS [48000 - 49703]
CHAPTER 2. Compulsory Education Law [48200 - 48361]
ARTICLE 5. Truants [48260 - 48273]  Codes Display Text

Related: LAUSD Board Meeting - In-Person or Online Public Access | San Fernando Valley News Portal

Edit - add link to details of LAUSD Board Meeting. 

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