Attendance & Engagement
Why regular attendance matters
Regular school attendance is critical to student learning, academic progress, and long-term success. The California Department of Education (CDE) emphasizes that students who attend school consistently are more likely to stay engaged, build strong relationships with peers and staff, and achieve better academic outcomes. California Education Code Section 4820 requires students between the ages of 6 and 18 to attend school full time, unless exempt. Schools are responsible for supporting students and families when attendance concerns arise and for identifying barriers that may impact a student’s ability to attend regularly. When students miss school frequently, even for excused reasons, they may experience gaps in learning, difficulty keeping up with coursework, and challenges with social-emotional development. Farmersville Unified School District focuses on early identification, collaboration with families, and supportive interventions to help students attend school consistently.
Support for students struggling with attendance
Each school site has a dedicated team — including administrators, counselors, social workers, attendance clerks, and community liaisons — who work together to identify barriers to attendance and connect families with appropriate supports. Barriers may include health concerns, transportation challenges, family circumstances, social-emotional needs, or academic difficulties.
Support may include:
- Outreach and communication with families to better understand attendance concerns
- School-based interventions and check-ins
- Referrals to counseling, mental health, or wellness supports
- Connections to community resources and family support
- Consideration of appropriate attendance options, such as Independent Study
In alignment with California Education Code Sections 48260–48273, the district utilizes a tiered approach to attendance support, which may include School Attendance Review Team (SART) meetings and, when necessary, School Attendance Review Board (SARB) processes.
Farmersville Unified School District believes that every student can succeed when barriers to attendance are identified and addressed early. Our goal is to work alongside families to ensure students are present, engaged, and supported in their education.
Independent Study (Longterm vs. Shorterm)
Long-Term Independent Study is an instructional option for students who require an alternative learning setting for an extended period of time due to ongoing academic, medical, mental health, or individual needs. Placement in Long-Term Independent Study requires prior approval and is determined collaboratively with families and school staff to ensure it is the most appropriate option for the student. Students remain enrolled and are expected to participate in instruction, complete assigned coursework, and meet academic expectations in alignment with district requirements and California Education Code.
For more information about Long-Term Independent Study, please contact Farmersville Independent Study / Deep Creek Academy at (559) 747-6205.
SART - School Attendance Review Team
(Education Code 48260.5, 48262)
SART is a school-based meeting that brings families and school staff together when attendance concerns continue.
The purpose of SART is to:
- Understand what may be impacting attendance
- Identify support and resources
- Develop a plan to help improve attendance
SART is preventative and supportive, and families are active partners in the process.
SARB - School Attendance Review Board
(Education Code 48320–48325)
If attendance concerns continue after school-level support and a SART meeting, a student may be referred to SARB.
SARB is a district-level meeting designed to:
- Review support that has already been provided
- Strengthen accountability and structure
- Recommend additional resources or interventions
The goal of SARB is to resolve attendance challenges through support and collaboration.
CARB - County Attendance Review Board
(Education Code 48320–48325 – County Authority)
In rare cases, when attendance concerns persist despite school and district efforts, a referral may be made to CARB.
CARB is a county-level support process that:
- Coordinates services across agencies
- Focuses on access to supports and accountability
- Is used only after multiple interventions have been attempted.
For Questions About SART, SARB, or CARB?
For questions or support related to the SART, SARB, or CARB process, families may contact Mr. Juarez at (559) 592-2010.
