County Community Schools - County Educational Agencies - CA Education

Section § 1980

This law permits a county board of education to create and run community schools to address local educational needs.

A county board of education may establish and maintain one or more community schools.

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(Added by Stats. 1977, Ch. 992.)

Section § 1981

This law allows county community schools to enroll certain students under specific conditions. It includes students expelled from school districts for reasons not specified in codes 48915(a) or (c), those referred by a school attendance review board, and pupils on probation or parole. For a pupil to be referred by a school district, the community school must have space, meet the pupil’s needs, and parents must not strongly object. The law also covers students under juvenile court probation, ensuring their educational placement considers their best interests. Parents can request or rescind placement in a community school, and there are specific procedures for credit transfers when students move between schools. Finally, it defines 'geographically accessible' as schools reasonably reachable by students.

The county board of education may enroll pupils in a county community school who are any of the following:

(a) Expelled from a school district for any reason other than those specified in subdivision (a) or (c) of Section 48915.

(b)

(1) Referred to a county community school by a school district as a result of the recommendation by a school attendance review board. A pupil shall not be referred to a county community school by a school district pursuant to this subdivision unless the school district and the county office of education determine all of the following:

(A) The county community school has space available to enroll the pupil.

(B) The county community school meets the educational needs of the pupil.

(C)

(i) The parent, guardian, or responsible adult of the pupil has not expressly objected to the referral based on one or more of the following reasons:

(I) Reasonable concerns related to the pupil’s safety.

(II) Geographic accessibility.

(III) Inability to transport.

(IV) The school does not meet the pupil’s educational needs.

(ii) The school district may require the objection to be in writing if it has advised the parent, guardian, or responsible adult that they may object, in writing, for one of these reasons.

(2) If the county community school recommended pursuant to paragraph (1) is not geographically accessible to the pupil, the school attendance review board shall also include in its recommendation a school option for the pupil that is geographically accessible to the pupil and meets the criteria specified in paragraph (1).

(3) If the parent, guardian, or responsible adult of the pupil objects for any of the reasons described in subclauses (I) to (IV), inclusive, of clause (i) of subparagraph (C) of paragraph (1), the school district may either address the express objection or find an alternative placement in another comprehensive or continuation school within the school district. If the school district has offered the pupil all other options, the school district may refer the pupil to the county community school.

(4) The pupil has the right to return to his or her prior school or another appropriate school within his or her school district at the end of the semester following the semester when the acts leading to referral occurred. The right to return shall continue until the end of the pupil’s 18th year of age, except that a pupil with exceptional needs, consistent with Section 56041 of this code and Section 1412(a)(1)(A) of Title 20 of the United States Code, shall have the right to return until he or she turns 22 years of age.

(c)

(1) (A) On probation, with or without the supervision of a probation officer and consistent with an order of a juvenile court, who are considered to be wards of the court under Sections 601 and 602 of the Welfare and Institutions Code and ordered placed pursuant to Sections 725, 729.2, and 791 of, and paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 727 of, the Welfare and Institutions Code.

(B) Under the supervision of a probation officer, with the consent of the minor and the minor’s parent or guardian, pursuant to Section 654 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.

(C) Under the supervision of a probation officer pursuant to Section 726 and paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) of Section 727 of the Welfare and Institutions Code with the consent of the pupil’s parent, guardian, or responsible adult appointed by the juvenile court to make educational decisions for the pupil. The enrollment of a minor covered by this paragraph in a county community school shall be consistent with paragraph (2) of subdivision (c) of Section 726 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, which provides that all educational and school placement decisions shall seek to ensure that the youth is in the least restrictive educational program, has access to the academic resources, services, and extracurricular and enrichment activities that are available to all pupils, and are based on the best interests of the child.

(D) Unless specifically ordered by a juvenile court, nothing in this subdivision shall be construed to conflict with the existing rights of a parent, guardian, or responsible adult appointed by the juvenile court pursuant to Section 726 of the Welfare and Institutions Code to make educational placement decisions for the minor.

(E) With respect to a pupil’s enrollment in a county community school pursuant to subparagraph (B) or (C), and consistent with paragraph (2) of subdivision (c) of Section 726 of the Welfare and Institutions Code and California Rule of Court 5.651, all of the following shall apply:

(i) The attorney for, or the person holding the educational rights of, a pupil who is under the jurisdiction of the delinquency court may use the procedures set forth in California Rule of Court 5.651 to address any change of placement that results in the enrollment of the pupil in a county community school that is not his or her school of origin.

(ii) The attorney or the person holding the educational rights appointed by the court for a pupil who is under the jurisdiction of the delinquency court may, during a regularly scheduled hearing, raise any concerns with respect to whether the enrollment of the pupil in a county community school is meeting the educational needs of the pupil.

(iii) Nothing in this subparagraph is intended to limit in any way the rights or responsibilities of any person as set forth in paragraph (2) of subdivision (c) of Section 726 of the Welfare and Institutions Code and California Rule of Court 5.651.

(2) On probation or parole and not in attendance at any school, where enrollment is with the consent of the parent, guardian, or responsible adult, or the pupil, if he or she is 18 years of age or older. Nothing in this subdivision shall impact the provision of services or funding for youth up to 25 years of age pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 1982, as that section read on September 25, 2013.

(3) Expelled for any of the reasons specified in subdivision (a) or (c) of Section 48915.

(4) Enrollment in a county community school pursuant to this subdivision shall be consistent with subdivision (b) of Section 48645.5.

(d) Pupils whose school districts of attendance, or, for pupils who do not have school districts of attendance, school districts of residence, have, at the request of the pupil’s parent, guardian, or responsible adult, approved the pupil’s enrollment in a county community school, subject to the following:

(1) A pupil shall not be enrolled in a county community school pursuant to this subdivision unless the school district determines that the placement will promote the educational interests of the pupil and the county community school has space available to enroll the pupil.

(2) A parent, guardian, or responsible adult of a pupil enrolled in a county community school pursuant to this subdivision may rescind the request for the placement, and the pupil shall be immediately reenrolled in the school that the pupil attended at the time of the referral, or, with the consent of the parent, guardian, or responsible adult, another appropriate school.

(e) The procedures outlined in subdivisions (b) to (e), inclusive, of Section 51225.2 govern the transfer of credits, records, including special education records, and grades required pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 48645.5 and Section 49068 when the pupil transfers to and from the county community school.

(f) For purposes of this section, “geographically accessible” means that the pupil can reasonably travel to and from the school and is able to pay for any transportation costs that are above and beyond the costs to attend his or her school of residence or prior school, whichever is farther away.

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(Amended by Stats. 2014, Ch. 837, Sec. 1. (SB 1111) Effective January 1, 2015.)

Section § 1981.5

If a student is placed in a county community school against their will, they have the right to return to their old school or another regular school immediately after being readmitted from expulsion or a court order. This doesn't prevent the school district from suggesting different school placements. Also, only the school district's board that expelled the student can decide to keep the student in the county community school longer.

(a) A pupil who is involuntarily enrolled in a county community school pursuant to subdivision (a) of, or subparagraph (A) of paragraph (1) or paragraph (3) of subdivision (c) of, Section 1981 shall have the right to reenroll in his or her former school or another comprehensive school immediately after being readmitted from the expulsion order pursuant to Section 48916 or court-ordered placement. Nothing in this section is intended to limit the school placement options that a school district may recommend for a pupil being readmitted.

(b) Consistent with the process and procedures set forth in Section 48916, only the governing board of the school district that issued the initial order or subsequent order to expel may extend the duration of an expelled pupil’s placement in a county community school.

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(Added by Stats. 2014, Ch. 837, Sec. 3. (SB 1111) Effective January 1, 2015.)

Section § 1983

This law explains how county community schools in California should provide educational programs tailored to the needs of each student, with the aim of helping them continue their education and graduate. Schools can offer a variety of programs, from basic skills and on-the-job training to credit recovery and personal guidance. They should create an individualized education plan for each student and offer independent study if it's suitable, while also ensuring it meets certain state requirements. For students with disabilities and English language learners, schools must provide appropriate assessments and services. One specific program, school credit recovery, allows students who failed a course to earn credit by demonstrating their competency in the subject through various flexible programs.

(a) Pupils enrolled in county community schools shall be assigned to classes or programs deemed most appropriate for reinforcing or reestablishing educational development.

(b) These classes or programs may include, but need not be limited to, basic educational skill development, on-the-job training, school credit recovery assistance, tutorial assistance, and individual guidance activities.

(c) To the extent that independent study is determined to satisfy the individually planned educational program described in subdivision (d) for a pupil attending a county community school, it shall meet all the requirements of Article 5.5 (commencing with Section 51745) of Chapter 5 of Part 28 of Division 4 of Title 2, including the requirement that entry into that program is voluntary.

(d) An individually planned educational program based upon an educational assessment shall be prescribed for each pupil.

(e) The course of study of a county community school shall be adopted by the county board of education and shall enable each pupil to continue academic work leading to the completion of a regular high school program.

(f) Pursuant to Part 30 (commencing with Section 56000) of Division 4 of Title 2, Chapter 33 (commencing with Section 1400) of Title 20 of the United States Code, and accompanying state and federal regulatory provisions, county boards of education operating county community schools shall ensure that assessments are administered in all areas of suspected disability and appropriate services and programs, as specified in a pupil’s individualized education program, are provided.

(g) County boards of education operating county community schools shall ensure that appropriate services and programs designed to address the language needs of pupils identified as English learners are provided in compliance with all applicable state and federal laws and regulatory provisions.

(h) For purposes of this section, “school credit recovery assistance” refers to a pupil passing, and receiving credit for, a course that the pupil previously attempted, but for which the pupil was unsuccessful in earning academic credit towards graduation. The pupil can recover the credit by satisfying requirements for the course in which they were unsuccessful and can focus on earning credit based on competency in the content standards for that particular course. Credit recovery programs aim to help schools graduate more pupils by giving pupils who have fallen behind the chance to recover credits through a multitude of different strategies. Different programs allow pupils to work on their credit recovery classes over the summer, on school breaks, after school, on weekends, at home on their own, at night in school computer labs, online, or even during the schoolday.

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(Amended by Stats. 2019, Ch. 451, Sec. 1. (AB 1097) Effective January 1, 2020.)

Section § 1984

This law says that for setting up and running a county community school, the county board of education is considered the same as a school district.

For the purposes of establishing and maintaining a county community school, a county board of education shall be deemed to be a school district.

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(Added by Stats. 1977, Ch. 992.)

Section § 1986

This law recognizes community schools as an optional educational program. If a county superintendent decides to run a community school, they have several choices for facilities. They can use existing school buildings that meet state regulations, apply for temporary portable classrooms, or lease specific types of buildings like wood or light steel structures, if deemed safe by a structural engineer. Before leasing, they must confirm they've tried to find facilities that meet all safety standards. This rule took effect on July 1, 1990.

(a) The Legislature hereby recognizes that community schools are a permissive educational program.

(b) If a county superintendent of schools elects to operate a community school pursuant to this chapter, he or she shall do one or more of the following:

(1) Utilize available school facilities that conform to the requirements of Part 2 (commencing with Section 2-101), Part 3 (commencing with Section 3-089-1), Part 4 (commencing with Section 4-403), and Part 5 (commencing with Section 5-102), of Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations.

(2) Apply for emergency portable classrooms pursuant to Section 17717.2 or Chapter 25 (commencing with Section 17785) of Part 10.

(3) Enter into lease agreements provided that the facilities are limited to one of the following:

(A) Single story, wood-framed structure.

(B) Single story, light steel frame structure.

(C) A structure where a structural engineer has submitted a report that determines substantial structural hazards do not exist. The county board of education shall review the report prior to approval of the lease and may reject the report if there is any evidence of fraud regarding the facts in the report.

(c) Before entering into any lease pursuant to paragraph (3) of subdivision (b), the county superintendent of schools shall certify that all reasonable efforts have been made to locate community schools in facilities that conform to the structural safety standards listed in paragraph (1) of subdivision (b).

(d) This section shall become operative on July 1, 1990.

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(Amended by Stats. 2012, Ch. 728, Sec. 21. (SB 71) Effective January 1, 2013.)