Truancy Sweeps
A truancy sweep is a mobile team of professionals who care about the overall success of students. Teams include school administrators, counselors, teachers, support staff, community organizations, law enforcement, and more.
They conduct home visits as a positive intervention tool to identify truancy barriers, grow relationships, and provide linkage to supportive resources. Teams focus on students that are nearing the 10 absences that would trigger the sending of Truancy Letter No. 2.
Sweeps are conducted quarterly. For updates about truancy sweeps, go to COSP News.
Truancy Letters
The California Department of Education defines chronic absenteeism as when a student is absent for 10 percent or more of school days. This includes both excused and unexcused absences.
To prevent chronic absenteeism, truancy letters and other steps may be arranged, according to state law (CA Ed. Code Section 48260.5). The SJCOE process is as follows:
- After three absences: Letter No. 1 is sent to mailing address. Student and parent are contacted by school staff and notified that the student has been identified as a truant. Intervention may be arranged to assist in finding a positive resolution to absences.
- After 10 absences: Letter No. 2 is sent to mailing address. A mandatory Family Collaborative Meeting will be held at the SJCOE's Wentworth Education Center at 2707 Transworld Drive, Stockton, to provide resources and develop an action plan. Additionally, students at this stage will be included in countywide truancy sweeps.
- After 20 absences: Letter No. 3 is sent to mailing address. Students may be transferred to an intervention site for additional support.