Attendance & Truancy: What Parents & Students Should Know

School isn’t the one issuing penalties for truancy — it's California state law. 

Parents/guardians, not schools, are legally required to ensure their children attend school regularly. After multiple unexcused absences, families may be referred to a School Attendance Review Board (SARB), and if problems persist, the case may be sent to juvenile court or the district attorney. (California Department of Education)

Possible consequences include:

• Fines ranging from hundreds to over a thousand dollars (e.g., approximately $420 for a first court offense and $820 or more for a third). (kernhigh.org)

• In more severe cases, misdemeanor charges may result in up to $2,500 in fines and/or up to one year in county jail — including charges like “failure to supervise” or “contributing to a minor’s delinquency.” (Shouse Law Group)

When SARB Can Get Involved

• Truant Status: A student is officially considered truant once they have 3 unexcused absences or 3 tardies of more than 30 minutes (or any combination) in a single school year. At this point, the school is required to notify parents. (California Department of Education, The Rodriguez Law Group)

• Habitual Truant: If a student is reported as truant three or more times in one school year—and following at least one parent–student–staff meeting—the student becomes a habitual truant. This status opens the door for referral to the School Attendance Review Board (SARB). (California Department of Education)

• Local Notifications: Some districts have additional steps before SARB:

  • 3 absences/tardies → school sends Truancy Letter #1

  • 6 → Letter #2 plus a required parent–school meeting (SART)

  • 9 → Letter #3, which may lead to a formal SARB hearing (Exeter Unified School District)