Ask an Expert: Judy Goddess
Using California School Law To Advocate For Your Kids

SATURDAY SCHOOL AND TARDIES

In our district, students who accumulate three tardies are assigned to Saturday school. My 15-year-old daughter works on Saturday and she can't afford time from her job. Can the district demand that she take time off from work to attend a Saturday program?

Not any longer. The California Association of Student Councils is very proud of its role in convincing the legislature to make participation in Saturday schools voluntary. Although districts count attendance at a Saturday (or Sunday) school as being equivalent to five days of class (both in terms of education and the funding received by the district), "attendance at classes conducted on Saturday or Sunday, or both, shall be at the election of the pupil or, in the case of a minor pupil, the parent or guardian." Like most rules, this one has an exception: the local school board may require truants to attend makeup classes one day over the weekend. The district and your daughter will have to agree on another way for her to make up the missed time.

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