Golden State Today

State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Tony Thurmond, announced that 23 school attendance review boards (SARBs) have been designated as model programs by the State SARB. This recognition is for their exemplary practices that contribute to reducing chronic absenteeism rates and improving student attendance.

Being recognized as a Model SARB signifies more than just excellence. These Model SARBs have voluntarily committed to serve as expert role models and support providers for other SARBs in school districts and counties seeking technical assistance throughout the state. Their support includes sharing resources, offering peer-to-peer coaching, and hosting visits to discuss their successful strategies in person.

Additionally, Model SARBs may share their best practices through webinars and workshops at both statewide and regional conferences. The Model SARB Recognition Program identifies and recognizes multi-tiered school attendance improvement programs at the district or county level. These include efforts to reduce the use of exclusionary school discipline practices of suspensions and expulsions and replace them with prevention efforts and positive alternative means of correction.

State Superintendent Thurmond convenes the State SARB, which brings together key agencies, professional organizations, and community partners for statewide policy coordination and personnel training. This is aimed at diverting students with serious attendance and behavior problems from the juvenile justice system and reducing the number of dropouts in the state public education system.

The Model SARB Recognition awards were presented at the California Association of Supervisors of Child Welfare and Attendance State Conference on April 26, 2024, in Monterey.