PUPIL SERVICES Target Group Intervention Group Intervention Strategies

PUPIL SERVICES

Target (Group Intervention)

Group Intervention Strategies • I. Strategy: Identify groups of students in need of early intervention • II. Strategy: Implement targeted interventions and incentives for identified students • III. Strategy: Monitor progress of identified students

Increased Attendance Involves a 3 -Tiered Approach

Possible reasons why students do not attend school… Family dysfunction Bullying Gang involvement Health reasons Lack of discipline in the home Mismatch between student’s academic skills and their assignments = poor grades • Disconnect from school (staff & peers) • Vicious cycle: student performs poorly & misbehaves; teacher responds punitively; student responds with defiance, non-compliance & truancy. • Undiagnosed learning disability • • •

Targeted/Group Strategies • Use data to select groups of students to target • Provide appropriate interventions to target group • Blackboard Connect • Group Letters • Focused assemblies

School-Based Personnel Responsibilities • Assist in facilitating Notification of Truancy (NOT) Letters preparation procedures at school site • Train clerical staff on NOT Letter preparation procedures as needed • Monitor attendance of students that have received Initial Truancy Letter • Follow Attendance Intervention Protocols and guidance provided in the SARB Intervention Guide for School Staff

Truancy Classification and Notifications

Truancy (Legal Definition) EC Section 48260 A pupil…absent 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. EC 48260. 5 requires that upon the a pupil’s initial classification as a truant, the school district notify the pupil’s parent or guardian. LAUSD generates the first letter (on a monthly basis) to meet this state mandate. Note: ALL TRUANCY LETTERS MUST BE MAINTAINED FOR THREE YEARS

Initial Notification of Truancy (NOT) Letter • Automation Procedures REF-Bulletin 5464. 3 • Outlines requirements prior to and following the mailing of Letter #1 (NOT). • Criteria: • Students between 6 and 18 years of age • Accumulated three or more reason codes of 3, 2, 0, U, or blank within a school year; including unexcused tardies of 30 minutes or more coded with a reason code 3 • Absence Codes that do not count towards Truancy: • 1 -Excused • 5 -Administrator Approval– Note new law allows principals more discretion to excuse absences • District receives $18. 91 per letter generated

School-Based Personnel Responsibilities • Assist in facilitating Notification of Truancy (NOT) Letters preparation procedures at school site • Train clerical staff on NOT Letter preparation procedures as needed • Monitor attendance of students that have received Initial Truancy Letter • Follow Attendance Intervention Protocols and guidance provided in the SARB Intervention Guide for School Staff located on the Pupil Services website

Second Truancy Letter – Request for Parent Conference When should Truancy Letter #2 be sent? Should be sent after: • The parent/guardian has received the Initial Truancy Letter • The parent/guardian has been given a reasonable opportunity to respond • Student has accumulated one or more additional unexcused absence or tardy in excess of 30 minutes or more or any combination thereof after the Initial Notification of Truancy was sent

Third Truancy Letter – Habitual Truant Reclassification When should Truancy Letter #3 be sent? Should be sent after: • The parent/guardian has received the 1 st and 2 nd Truancy Letters • The parent/guardian has been given the opportunity to schedule a parent conference • Student has accumulated one or more additional unexcused absence or tardy in excess of 30 minutes or more or any combination thereof after the 2 nd Notification of Truancy was sent

Sample Truancy Letter

Sending Valid Truancy Letters • Enter the mailing date on the letter • Dates of absences must be written in full – Example: 11/2/2010; 11/8/2010, 11/9/2010, 11/10/2010 NOT ACCEPTABLE: § 11/2 § “See attached” § Plenty § 11/8 – 11/10/2010 • Include the Parent’s Full Name and Address and the Student’s Full Name and District ID • Sample letters and detailed guidance are available through the SARB Intervention Guide for School Staff

Coding Absences in Mi. S • Absences must be documented properly. If they are being marked as “excused”, then there is no violation of the law. • Ensure Elementary Teacher or Attendance Clerk for Secondary schools are aware of any restrictions on accepting parent notes, and know how to code absences correctly • Review attendance records regularly to ensure compliance

Attendance Improvement Meeting Toolkit • Identify the Target Population • Preparation: • Set date, time, and location • Arrange for Translation Services. • Recruit a panel to speak • Send invitation letters • Develop Agenda and Presentation • Review with principal • Notify school staff • Prepare sign-in sheets, appointment log and handouts

AIM Meeting • Agenda • Topics • Speakers • Handouts

Post - AIM MEETING • Conference with parents/students as requested • Mail follow-up letter to all parents, including parents that did not attend the meeting • Maintain a list of students/parents invited to the AIM • Document whether or not parent attended • Monitor students’ attendance and case manage as needed • Identify students for SART as appropriate if attendance does not improve following the AIM

Intensive Case Management

Intensive Case Management • SARB Intervention Guide for School Staff available online • Case Management Flow Sheet & Chart • Record of Contacts/Case Chronology • Current Letters and Forms in the Attendance Manual

School Attendance Review Team (SART)

Purpose of SART Recommended by LACOE as a best practice to improve student attendance and reduce potential referrals to SARB Addresses barriers that are preventing regular school attendance Encourages parent participation in resolution of the problem Required prior to a SARB referral An SST or Truancy Prevention Program hearing could take the place of a SART meeting.

SART Tools and Templates Available as links in the SARB Intervention Guide for School Staff: • Overview • Quick Guide • Agenda • Invite letter • SART Contract

Preparing for SART • Determine who will be SART panel members • Size of Team depends on specific student needs and staffing and availability • Determine possible SART dates and confirm with team members • Schedule meetings in 30 minute intervals

Preparing for SART (continued) • Send SART invite letter at least 2 weeks before the scheduled date • Three days prior to the SART another letter should be sent home with the student or conduct a home visit to hand deliver letter • Call the parent one day prior to the meeting to confirm attendance • Prepare and disseminate agenda • Arrange for an interpreter, if necessary • Place “Supplemental Student Information” form in teacher’s mailbox at least 1 week prior to SART • Gather student information (ie: student’s cum, behavior, academic, attendance records, and absence notes, etc. ) • Research siblings and print attendance from Mi. S/My. Data

Holding the SART Meeting- Overview • Include parent, student, administrator or designee, and other interested school personnel • Discuss issues related to school attendance and challenges faced • Identify family strengths, review progress made, inform of attendance goals and initiate an action plan including referrals to school based and community based services • Inform parent that only a doctor’s note will be counted as an “excused” absence • Review SART contract with family and obtain parent and student signature • Provide a copy of the SART contract to the parent • SART Contract may be included in SST and IEP meetings

Day of SART Introduction: SART members and family Verify address and phone numbers Have parent complete new Emergency Contact Form Include ALL school age siblings on contract Review LAUSD attendance policy, compulsory education law, and discuss number of absences and tardies (current and past) • Review various interventions that were done prior to SART • Address barriers that are prohibiting regular attendance • Have parent sign Release/Exchange of Information Form (if applicable) • • • Inquire about past/current DCFS and/or Probation involvement • DPSS info (eligibility worker name and number) • Speak with doctors, therapists and others working with family

Day of SART (continued) • Give additional referrals: school based, community, alternative education, etc. • SART members may recommend: daily contract, parent check-in when dropping the student off at school, parent sit with student in class, etc. • Have SART team & family sign SART contract • Give parent a copy of SART contract and inform parents that further unexcused absences will result in a SARB referral

After SART • If the parent does not attend SART: • Attempt to contact the parent by phone, mail, or home visit in order to reschedule • If you are not able to contact the parent mail “No Show to SART” letter along with a copy of the completed contract

SART Contract Violation • • Mail “SART Violation” letter Review SART contract and referrals that were given Inform parent of referral to Resource Panel Inform parent of School Attendance Review Board process

SART REMINDERS • Document ALL interventions in Mi. S Call Log or Record of Contacts • Keep copies of all correspondence that is mailed or given to the parent • Flag Mi. S & Inform appropriate school staff that parent notes will no longer be accepted and ALL future absences must be excused by a doctor, school nurse, or approved by the principal • Any parent note must be coded as “ 3 Non. Compliant” in Mi. S

Themes for October

Fun Themes for October • Breast Cancer Awareness Month • Computer Learning Month • Cookie Month • International Drum Month • National Pizza Month • National Popcorn Popping Month • 5 th Do Something Nice Day & World Teacher’s Day • 6 th Mad Hatter Day • 7 th World Smile Day • 14 th National Desserts Day • 16 th Bosses Day • 19 th Evaluate Your Life Day & Sweetest Day • 26 th Make a Difference Day

THANK YOU