YCJUSD Announced as a State Model SARB Program

"Their collaborative efforts with the community bring back students on the margins of our educational system and guide them toward more successful futures."

Eight school districts in California were selected for their exemplary school attendance review board (SARB) programs: Conejo Valley Unified School District, Colton Joint Unified School District, Hesperia Unified School District, Kern High School District, Palm Springs Unified School District, San Bernardino City Unified School District, Victor Valley Union High School District, and Yucaipa-Calimesa Joint Unified School District.

"These districts have focused on removing barriers to the learning and achievement of students most in need," O'Connell said. "Attending school and graduating from high school are critically important. These districts have formed successful partnerships with parents and members of the community at large, including law enforcement, social services, mental health, and various youth services agencies to diagnose school attendance problems and get students back in school."

The SARB process for dropout prevention was created by the state Legislature in 1974 to develop new ways of coordinating school, community, and home efforts to deal with persistent student attendance or behavior problems that can lead to dropping out of school.

In addition to establishing county and local SARBs, the Legislature created the State SARB, a diverse advisory panel of experts, to make annual recommendations to the State Superintendent regarding the needs and services provided to high-risk youth.

Members of the State SARB evaluated school district applications for excellence in specific content areas, including SARB chairperson leadership, interventions prior to SARB referral, collaboration, inventory of resources for high-risk youth, goals and objectives, program design and content, measuring and reporting outcomes, and interpersonal communication.

Districts recognized for their model dropout prevention program retain their title through the 2010-11 school year to serve as a mentor for other SARBs seeking to improve their program. This year the model SARBs will be recognized on April 22 at the Embassy Suites Hotel in South Lake Tahoe.

For more information on the SARB process for dropout reduction, please visit the California Department of Education Web site at http://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/ai/sb/