Reducing Truancy Throughout the County - a Prudent Investment

Between 2000 and 2008, Santa Barbara County had an effective truancy program under the direction of the Santa Barbara County Office of the District Attorney. During that time the truancy rate averaged 20 percent. ' We agree that the truancy program was effective. Because truancy rates can vary dramatically from district to district, combining the numbers from 20 individual school districts into an overall county average may not be as useful a number for focus, and it is important to be mindful that thefigure itself varies according to definitions and policies instituted in individual districts. Still, we are in agreement with the overall finding that the truancy program was effective. ,'Honorable Judge Brian Hill SantaBarbara County Grand Jury July 5, 2012 ' ' l'

Aftt(r the termination oftheprogram, truancy rates increased to a high of 30.76 .percent in Santa Barbara County in 2010-11 and exceeded the truancy rate for the .State of California' fo~three years ina row.' , Weagree'tjzqtSanta B~;ba.ra County truancy rates reported by the California Department of Education increased in theyear cited-and exceeded theestate averages as,indicated. Again, the figures vary dramatically from district to district and depend upon varying.district definitions for truancy. , ", '

All agencies consulted agree that the involvement of the Sarita Barbara County Office of the District Attorney is necessary foran effective truancy reduction program .. , . , , .Agree.

Reducing truancy rates at the secondary school level would result in significantly increased revenues .10 the school-districts, . Thisfinding is truefor Revenue 'Limit Districts that receive funding based onAverage Daily , Attendance., It is not the casefor. Basic AidDistricts, which keep theirproperty tax allotment and ~eceive'no furtherfunding fromthe state per pupil. Nonetheless it is clear that reducing ..•.. truancy will reduce the costsassociated with crime andincrease'the vital educational services provided to students, '" ' -' ;"