A school district may establish one or more truancy support centers for:
Terms Used In Utah Code 53G-6-209
Minor: means an individual who is under 18 years old. See Utah Code 53G-6-201
Parent: includes :
(a)
a custodial parent of the minor;
(b)
a legally appointed guardian of a minor; or
(c)
any other person purporting to exercise any authority over the minor which could be exercised by a person described in Subsection (4)(a) or (b). See Utah Code 53G-6-201
Truant: means a condition in which a school-age child, without a valid excuse, and subject to Subsection (8)(b), is absent for at least:
(i)
half of the school day; or
(ii)
if the school-age child is enrolled in a learner verified program, as that term is defined by the state board, the relevant amount of time under the LEA's policy regarding the LEA's continuing enrollment measure as it relates to truancy. See Utah Code 53G-6-201
truant minors taken into custody under Section 53G-6-208; or
(b)
students suspended or expelled from school.
(2)
A truancy support center shall provide services to the truantminor and the truant minor‘s family, including:
(a)
assessments of the truant minor’s needs and abilities;
(b)
support for the parents and truant minor through counseling and community programs; and
(c)
tutoring for the truant minor during the time spent at the center.
(3)
For the suspended or expelled student, the truancy support center shall provide an educational setting, staffed with certified teachers and aides, to provide the student with ongoing educational programming appropriate to the student’s grade level.
(4)
In a district with a truancy support center, all students suspended or expelled from school shall be referred to the center. A parent shall appear with the student at the center within 48 hours of the suspension or expulsion, not including weekends or holidays. The student shall register and attend classes at the truancy support center for the duration of the suspension or expulsion unless the parent demonstrates that alternative arrangements have been made for the education or supervision of the student during the time of suspension or expulsion.
(5)
The truancy support center may provide counseling and other support programming for students suspended or expelled from school and their parents.
