Pupil attendance: schoolsite absence intervention teams.
With this bill, existing laws on school attendance review boards are expanded. While current regulations allow for these boards to provide alternatives to juvenile court interventions, AB 2771 introduces specific strategies to better identify barriers faced by students and to facilitate home visits, counseling sessions, and partnerships with community services. These intervention strategies could significantly enhance parental involvement and community support in improving student attendance.
AB 2771, also known as the Pupil Attendance: Schoolsite Absence Intervention Teams bill, seeks to combat chronic absenteeism in California schools. This legislation mandates that by the start of the 2026-2027 school year, the State Department of Education will be required to make information available on its website regarding methods aimed at reducing chronic absenteeism. The bill strongly emphasizes forming schoolsite absence intervention teams designed to address the individual needs of chronically absent pupils through various support mechanisms.
Overall, the reception of AB 2771 has been generally positive among educators and advocates for student welfare. Proponents highlight the necessity of targeted interventions to proactively manage absenteeism and support pupils who face challenges attending school. However, there may be concerns regarding the feasibility of implementing such intervention teams in every school, especially in under-resourced districts.
While many support the intent of the bill, some critics have raised concerns about potential overreach in requiring schools to implement specific intervention strategies. There may be questions regarding resource allocation and whether all schools will be capable of establishing these intervention teams effectively. Furthermore, discussions may also arise around the adequacy of training for personnel involved in these teams to ensure they can provide the necessary support for students and families.