Article 2.5 - Juvenile Court Schools

California Education Code — §§ 48645-48650

Sections (12)

Amended by Stats. 1989, Ch. 929, Sec. 1.

The purpose of this article is to provide for the administration and operation of public schools in juvenile halls, juvenile homes, day centers, juvenile ranches, juvenile camps, regional youth educational facilities, or Orange County youth correctional centers in existence and providing services prior to the effective date of the amendments to this section made by the Statutes of 1989, established pursuant to Article 23 (commencing with Section 850), Article 24 (commencing with Section 880), Article 24.5 (commencing with Section 894) of Chapter 2 of Division 2, or Article 9 (commencing with Section 1850) of Chapter 1 of Division 2.5, of the Welfare and Institutions Code or in any group home housing 25 or more children placed pursuant to Sections 362, 727, and 730, of the Welfare and Institutions Code or in any group home housing 25 or more children and operating one or more additional sites under a central administration for children placed pursuant to Section 362, 727, or 730 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, with acceptable school structures at one or more centrally located sites to serve the single or composite populations, and to provide the juvenile court school pupils therein detained with quality education and training.

Nothing in this section shall be construed as indicating that it is the intent of the Legislature to prevent juvenile court school pupils who are housed in group homes from enrolling in regular public schools, or that it is the intent of the Legislature to transfer the responsibility for any costs associated with the operation of group homes to the counties.

The Orange County Office of Education shall only provide educational services in youth correctional centers for individuals up to 19 years of age.

§ 48645.1

Amended by Stats. 1989, Ch. 929, Sec. 2.

Public schools or classes in any juvenile hall, juvenile home, day center, juvenile ranch, juvenile camp, regional youth educational facility, or Orange County youth correctional center in existence and providing services prior to the effective date of the amendments to this section made by the Statutes of 1989, established in accordance with Article 23 (commencing with Section 850), Article 24 (commencing with Section 880), and Article 24.5 (commencing with Section 894) of Chapter 2 of Division 2, or Article 9 (commencing with Section 1850) of Chapter 1 of Division 2.5, of the Welfare and Institutions Code, or in any group home housing 25 or more children and operating one or more additional sites under a central administration, with acceptable school structures at one or more centrally located sites to serve the single or composite populations of juvenile court school pupils detained therein in accordance with the provisions of Section 362, 727, or 730 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, shall be known as juvenile court schools.

§ 48645.2

Added by Stats. 1977, Ch. 430.

The county board of education shall provide for the administration and operation of juvenile court schools established pursuant to Section 48645.1:

(a)By the county superintendent of schools, provided that, in any county in which the board of supervisors is establishing or maintaining juvenile court schools on January 1, 1978, the county superintendent of schools may contract with the board of supervisors for the administration and operation of such schools if agreed upon between the board of education and the board of supervisors. In any event, the county superintendent of schools may contract with other educational agencies for supporting services to the same extent that school districts may contract with other such agencies.

(b)By contract with the respective governing boards of the elementary, high school, or unified school district in which the juvenile court school is located.

§ 48645.3

Amended by Stats. 2017, Ch. 754, Sec. 1. (AB 1124) Effective January 1, 2018.

(a)Juvenile court schools shall be conducted in a manner as shall be prescribed by the county board of education to best accomplish the provisions of Section 48645. The minimum schoolday shall be 240 minutes. Minimum schooldays shall be calculated on the basis of the average number of minutes of attendance during not more than 10 consecutive days in which classes are conducted. The minimum schoolday for pupils in attendance in approved vocational education programs, work programs prescribed by the probation department pursuant to Section 883 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, and work experience programs shall be 180 minutes, which shall be calculated on the basis of the average number of minutes of attendance during not more than 10

consecutive days in which classes are conducted. The county board of education shall adopt

and enforce a course of study and evaluate its program in accordance with Sections 51040, 51041, 51050, and 51054 and the provisions of Article 1 (commencing with Section 51200) to Article 3 (commencing with Section 51220), inclusive, of Chapter 2 of Part 28, except subdivision (c) of Section 51220.

(b)Juvenile court schools shall not be closed on any weekday of the calendar year, except those weekdays adopted by the county board of education as school holidays or set aside by the county board of education for inservice purposes. However, the county board of education may close juvenile court schools when it deems the closing is necessary to accommodate contingencies.

(c)(1) The county board of education may adopt and enforce a course of study

that enhances instruction in mathematics and English language arts for pupils attending juvenile court schools, as determined by statewide assessments or objective local evaluations and assessments as approved by the county superintendent of schools.

(2)The enhanced course of study adopted pursuant to paragraph (1) shall meet the standards adopted pursuant to Section 60605.8, as appropriate, and shall be tailored to meet the needs of the individual pupil to increase the pupil’s academic literacy and reading fluency.

(d)It is the intent of the Legislature that pupils in juvenile court schools have a rigorous curriculum that includes a course of study preparing them for high school graduation and career entry and fulfilling the requirements for admission to the University of California

and the California State University.

§ 48645.5

Amended by Stats. 2024, Ch. 703, Sec. 1. (AB 2181) Effective January 1, 2025.

(a)Each public school district and county office of education shall accept for credit full or partial coursework satisfactorily completed by a pupil while attending a public school, juvenile court school, or nonpublic, nonsectarian school or agency. The coursework shall be transferred by means of the standard state transcript. If a pupil completes the graduation requirements of the pupil’s school district of residence while being detained, the school district of residence shall issue to the pupil a diploma from the school the pupil last attended before detention or, in the alternative, the county superintendent of schools may issue the diploma.

(b)A pupil shall not be denied enrollment or

readmission to a public school solely on the basis that the pupil has had contact with the juvenile justice system, including, but not limited to:

(1)Arrest.

(2)Adjudication by a juvenile court.

(3)Formal or informal supervision by a probation officer.

(4)Detention for any length of time in a juvenile facility or enrollment in a juvenile court school.

(c)Pursuant to subparagraph (B) of paragraph (8) of subdivision (f) of Section 48853.5, a pupil who has had contact with the juvenile justice system shall be immediately enrolled in a public school.

(d)(1) If a pupil transfers into a juvenile court school any time after the completion of the pupil’s second year of high school and completes the statewide coursework requirements for graduation specified in Section 51225.3 while attending a juvenile court school, and the pupil is in their third or fourth year of high school, the county office of education shall exempt the pupil from all coursework or other requirements of the county office of education that are in addition to the statewide coursework specified in Section 51225.3, unless the county office of education makes a finding that the pupil is reasonably able to complete the local graduation requirements in time to graduate from high school by the end of the pupil’s fourth year of high school.

(2)To determine whether a juvenile court school pupil is in

the third or fourth year of high school, the number of credits the pupil has earned to the date of transfer, the length of the pupil’s school enrollment, or, for pupils with significant gaps in school attendance, the pupil’s age as compared to the average age of pupils in the third or fourth year of high school, may be used, whichever will qualify the pupil for the exemption.

(3)Within 30 calendar days of the date that a pupil who may qualify for the exemption from local graduation requirements pursuant to this section transfers into a juvenile court school for an enrollment period in the juvenile court school of at least 30 days, the county office of education shall notify the pupil, the person holding the right to make educational decisions for the pupil, and the pupil’s social worker and probation officer of the availability of the

exemption and whether the pupil qualifies for the exemption. If the county office of education fails to provide timely notice pursuant to this section, the pupil shall be eligible for the exemption from local graduation requirements pursuant to this section once notified, even if that notification occurs after the termination of the court’s jurisdiction over the pupil, if the pupil otherwise qualifies for the exemption pursuant to this section.

(4)The county office of education shall comply with all of the requirements of Section 48645.7.

(e)If a juvenile court school pupil is exempted from local graduation requirements pursuant to this section and completes the statewide coursework requirements specified in Section 51225.3 before the end of the pupil’s fourth year of high school and

that pupil would otherwise be entitled to remain in attendance at the school, the county office of education shall not require or request that the pupil graduate before the end of the pupil’s fourth year of high school.

(f)For the purposes of this section, “local graduation requirements” means the coursework and other requirements for high school graduation adopted by the county board of education.

§ 48645.6

Amended by Stats. 1982, Ch. 407, Sec. 4.

Plans for any juvenile court school classrooms, offices, or any other school structures in any juvenile hall, juvenile home, day center, juvenile ranch, or juvenile camp shall be approved by the county board of education. Upon approval of the board of supervisors and the county board of education, the cost of such structures shall be a required charge against the funds of the county.

The cost of constructing or otherwise providing classrooms, offices, or other onsite school structures in group homes or other agencies housing children described in Sections 362, 727, and 730 of the Welfare and Institutions Code shall be the responsibility of the private agency. This contruction shall not entitle private agencies to an increase in the foster care reimbursement rates available from the State Department of Social Services or any other state agency. It is the intent of the Legislature that nothing in this section shall be construed to preclude the county boards of education or the governing boards of school districts from entering into a contractual agreement providing compensation to group homes for the use of classrooms, offices, or other onsite school structures.

§ 48645.7

Amended by Stats. 2024, Ch. 703, Sec. 2. (AB 2181) Effective January 1, 2025.

(a)When a juvenile court school pupil qualifies for an exemption from local graduation requirements pursuant to subdivision (d) of Section 48645.5, the county office of education shall notify the pupil, the person holding the right to make educational decisions for the pupil, and the pupil’s social worker and probation officer of all of the following:

(1)The availability of the exemption pursuant to subdivision (d) of Section 48645.5.

(2)How any of the local graduation requirements that are waived may affect the pupil’s postsecondary education or vocation plans, including the ability to gain admission to an institution

of higher education.

(3)Information about other opportunities available to the pupil, including, but not limited to, staying enrolled in high school beyond the fourth year, possible credit recovery, and any transfer opportunities available through the California Community Colleges.

(4)The pupil’s or the education rights holder’s, as applicable, option to allow the pupil to defer or decline the exemption and take additional coursework pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision (b) or subdivision (c).

(5)The pupil’s academic data and any other information relevant to making an informed decision on whether to accept the exemption from local graduation requirements.

(b)If a county office of education determines that a juvenile court school pupil is reasonably able to complete the local graduation requirements after the pupil’s fourth year of high school, the county office of education shall do all of the following:

(1)Consult with the pupil and the person holding the right to make educational decisions for the pupil regarding the pupil’s option to remain in school after the pupil’s fourth year to complete the local graduation requirements.

(2)Consult with the pupil and the person holding the right to make educational decisions for the pupil, about how remaining in school after the pupil’s fourth year to complete the local graduation requirements will affect the pupil’s ability to gain admission to an institution of higher

education.

(3)Consult with and provide information to the pupil about transfer opportunities available through the California Community Colleges.

(4)Permit the pupil to stay in school after the pupil’s fourth year to complete the local graduation requirements upon agreement with the pupil, if the pupil is 18 years of age or older, or, if the pupil is under 18 years of age, upon agreement with the person holding the right to make educational decisions for the pupil.

(c)A juvenile court school pupil who is eligible for the exemption from local graduation requirements pursuant to subdivision (d) of Section 48645.5 and who would otherwise be entitled to remain in attendance at the school shall not be required to

accept the exemption or be denied enrollment in, or the ability to complete, courses for which the pupil is otherwise eligible, including courses necessary to attend an institution of higher education, regardless of whether those courses are required for statewide graduation requirements.

(d)(1) If a juvenile court school pupil who is eligible for an exemption from local graduation requirements pursuant to subdivision (d) of Section 48645.5 is not exempted or if the pupil or the education rights holder, as applicable, has previously deferred or declined an exemption pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision (b) or subdivision (c), a county office of education shall grant an exemption within 30 days if it is requested by the pupil, if the pupil is 18 years of age or older, or, if the pupil is under 18 years of age, by the

education rights holder.

(2)If a juvenile court school pupil is eligible for an exemption from local graduation requirements pursuant to subdivision (d) of Section 48645.5, a county office of education shall not revoke that

eligibility.

(3)If a former juvenile court school pupil is eligible for an exemption from local graduation requirements pursuant to subdivision (d) of Section 48645.5, that right shall continue to apply after the termination of the court’s jurisdiction over the pupil.

(e)A county office of education shall not require or request a juvenile court school pupil to transfer schools in order to qualify the pupil for an exemption pursuant to this section.

(f)A juvenile court school pupil, the person holding the right to make educational decisions for the pupil, the pupil’s social worker, and the pupil’s probation officer shall not request a transfer solely to qualify the pupil for an exemption pursuant to this

section.

(g)(1) A complaint of noncompliance with the requirements of this section may be filed with the county office of education under the Uniform Complaint Procedures set forth in Chapter 5.1 (commencing with Section 4600) of Division 1 of Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations.

(2)A complainant not satisfied with the decision of a county office of education may appeal the decision to the department pursuant to Chapter 5.1 (commencing with Section 4600) of Division 1 of Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations and shall receive a written decision regarding the appeal within 60 days of the department’s receipt of the appeal.

(3)If a county office of education finds merit in a

complaint, or if the Superintendent finds merit in an appeal, the county office of education shall provide a remedy to the affected pupil.

(4)Information regarding the requirements of this section shall be included in the annual notification distributed to, among others, pupils, parents or guardians of pupils, employees, and other interested parties pursuant to Section 4622 of Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations.

(h)If a county office of education determines that a juvenile court school pupil is not reasonably able to complete the local graduation requirements after the pupil’s fourth year of high school, but is reasonably able to complete the statewide coursework requirements specified in Section 51225.3 after the pupil’s fourth year of high school, the county

office of education shall exempt the pupil from the local graduation requirements and provide the pupil the option to remain in school to complete the statewide coursework requirements. The county office of education shall consult with the pupil and the person holding the right to make educational decisions for the pupil regarding all of the following:

(1)The pupil’s option to remain in school to complete the statewide coursework requirements.

(2)How waiving the local educational requirements and remaining in school may affect the pupil’s postsecondary education or vocation plans, including the ability to gain admission to an institution of higher education.

(3)Whether any other options are available to the pupil, including,

but not limited to, possible credit recovery, and any transfer opportunities available through the California Community Colleges.

(4)The pupil’s academic data and any other information relevant to making an informed decision on whether to accept the exemption and option to remain in school to complete the statewide coursework requirements.

(i)(1) If a juvenile court school pupil is not eligible for an exemption from local graduation requirements pursuant to subdivision (d) of Section 48645.5 in the pupil’s third year of high school, because a county office of education makes a finding that the pupil is reasonably able to complete the local educational agency’s graduation requirements in time to graduate from high school by the end of the pupil’s fourth

year of high school, a county office of education shall reevaluate eligibility in the pupil’s next academic year and provide written notice to the pupil, the person holding the right to make educational decisions for the pupil, and the pupil’s social worker and probation officer, if applicable, whether the pupil qualifies for an exemption within the first 30 calendar days of the pupil’s next academic year, based on the course completion status of the pupil at the time of reevaluation to determine if the pupil continues to be reasonably able to complete the local graduation requirements in time to graduate from high school by the end of the pupil’s fourth year of high school.

(2)If it is determined within the first 30 calendar days of the pupil’s next academic year, that given their course completion status at the time of the

reevaluation conducted pursuant to paragraph (1) the pupil is not reasonably able to complete the local graduation requirements in time to graduate from high school by the end of the pupil’s fourth year of high school, the county office of education shall provide the pupil with the option to receive an exemption from all local graduation requirements that are in addition to the statewide coursework requirements specified in Section 51225.3 or to stay in school after the pupil’s fourth year

to complete the local graduation requirements upon agreement with the pupil, if the pupil is 18 years of age or older, or, if the pupil is under 18 years of age, upon agreement with the person holding the right to make educational decisions for the pupil and provide notification of the availability of these options pursuant to subdivisions (a) and (b).

(3)If the pupil stays in high school after the fourth year, the county shall reevaluate eligibility at least annually within 30 calendar days of the beginning of the pupil’s subsequent academic years.

(j)If a county office of education offers to exempt a juvenile court school pupil from local graduation requirements that are in addition to the statewide coursework requirements specified in Section 51225.3, it

is in the sole discretion of the person holding the right to make educational decisions for the pupil or the pupil themselves if they are 18 years of age or older whether to accept, defer, or decline the exemption, based on the pupil’s best educational interests.

(k)Each county office of education shall report to the department annually on the number of court school pupils who, for the prior school year, graduated with an exemption from the local graduation requirements that are in addition to the statewide coursework requirements. This data shall be reported for court school pupils graduating in the fourth year cohort or in subsequent year cohorts, and shall be

disaggregated by cohort, race, and disability status. The department shall make this data publicly available on an annual basis aligned with other reporting timelines for the California School Dashboard graduation data.

(l)For the purposes of this section, “local graduation requirements” means the coursework and other requirements for high school graduation adopted by the county board of education.

§ 48646

Amended by Stats. 2023, Ch. 48, Sec. 51. (SB 114) Effective July 10, 2023.

(a)It is the intent of the Legislature that all pupils, including the state’s justice-involved youth, have access to their constitutional right of a free and appropriate public education, and to reduce barriers incarcerated pupils may have to academic supports, career and college preparatory pathways, and higher education.

(b)The Legislature encourages each county superintendent of schools or governing board of a school district, as determined by the county board of education pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 48645.2, and the county chief probation officer to enter into a memorandum of understanding or equivalent mutual agreement to support a collaborative process for meeting the needs of wards of the court who are receiving their education in juvenile court

schools. The memorandum of understanding or equivalent mutual agreement may include, but is not limited to, a process for communication, decisionmaking, mutually established goals, and conflict resolution. The purpose of this memorandum of understanding or equivalent mutual agreement is to develop a collaborative model that will foster an educational and residential environment that nurtures the whole child and consistently supports services that will meet the educational needs of the pupils.

(c)A memorandum of understanding or equivalent mutual agreement on providing educational and related services for juvenile court school pupils developed in accordance with this section may include, but is not limited to, the following provisions:

(1)Mutually developed goals and objectives that are reviewed annually, including, but not limited to, the following:

(A)Building resiliency and strengthening life skills.

(B)Fostering prosocial attitudes and behaviors.

(C)Assigning pupils to appropriate classrooms based on their educational needs.

(D)Ensuring regular classroom attendance.

(E)Providing clean, safe, and appropriate educational facilities.

(F)Improving academic achievement and vocational preparation.

(2)Clear delineation of responsibilities among the educational and residential or custodial service providers.

(3)A process for communicating,

collaborating, and resolving conflicts. Whenever possible, resolution of issues shall be reached by consensus through a collaborative process that would promote decisionmaking at the site where services are delivered. A working group charged with this responsibility may be appointed by the county superintendent of schools, or the superintendent of the school district with responsibility for providing juvenile court school services, and the county chief probation officer, or their designees. The working group is responsible for establishing and maintaining open communication, collaboration, and resolution of issues that arise.

(4)A clearly identified mechanism for resolving conflicts.

(d)If a memorandum of understanding or equivalent mutual agreement is agreed to pursuant to this section, it shall include both of the following:

(1)A joint process for performing an intake evaluation for each ward to determine educational needs and ability to participate in all educational settings within two business days, or under extraordinary circumstances up to five business days, of the ward entering the local juvenile facility. The process shall recognize the limitations on academic evaluation and planning that can result from short-term placements. The evaluation team shall include staff from the responsible educational agency and the county probation department, and may include other participants as appropriate, and as mutually agreed upon by the education and probation members of the team. The evaluation process specified in the memorandum of understanding or equivalent mutual agreement may:

(A)Include a timeline for evaluation once a ward is assigned to a local facility.

(B)(i) Result in an educational plan for a ward while assigned to a local juvenile facility that is integrated with other rehabilitative and behavioral management programs, and that supports the educational needs of the pupil.

(ii) It is the intent that this shared information about each ward placed in a juvenile court school shall assist both the county superintendent of schools and the county chief probation officer in meeting the needs of wards in their care and promoting a system of comprehensive services.

(2)A transition plan for when the ward reenrolls at a local educational agency postplacement that shall be transferred to the postplacement local educational agency within two business days of the youth being enrolled in the postplacement local educational agency.

(e)A memorandum of understanding or

equivalent mutual agreement pursuant to this section shall not cede responsibility or authority prescribed by statute or regulation from one party to another party unless mutually agreed upon by both parties.

(f)A memorandum of understanding or equivalent mutual agreement pursuant to this section shall be posted on the internet webpage of the county office of education.

§ 48647

Amended by Stats. 2019, Ch. 756, Sec. 2. (AB 1354) Effective January 1, 2020.

(a)Local educational agencies are strongly encouraged to enter into memoranda of understanding and create joint policies, systems, including data sharing systems, transition centers, and other joint structures that will allow for the immediate transfer of educational records, create uniform systems for calculating and awarding course credit, and allow for the immediate enrollment of pupils transferring from juvenile court schools.

(b)As part of their existing responsibilities for coordinating education and services for youth in the juvenile justice system, the county office of education and county probation department shall have a joint transition planning policy that includes

collaboration with relevant local educational agencies to improve communication

regarding dates of release and the educational needs of pupils who have had contact with the juvenile justice system, to coordinate immediate school placement and enrollment, and to ensure that probation officers in the community have the information they need to support the return of pupils who are being transferred from juvenile court schools to public schools in their communities.

(c)As part of the joint transition planning policy required under subdivision (b), the county office of education shall assign transition oversight responsibilities to existing county office of education personnel who will work in collaboration with the county probation department, as needed, and relevant local educational agencies to ensure all of the following:

(1)The transfer of complete and accurate education records, including the pupil’s individualized education program adopted pursuant to the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. Sec. 1400 et seq.) and the pupil’s plan adopted pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794(a)), if applicable,

within 72 hours of the pupil’s release from the juvenile detention facility.

(2)Access to information about postsecondary academic and vocational opportunities, including college financial aid programs.

(3)The implementation of the pupil’s transition plan, if one exists.

(d)As part of the joint transition planning policy required under subdivision (b), the county office of education personnel assigned transition oversight responsibilities shall work in collaboration with the county probation department, as needed, and relevant local educational agencies to facilitate all of the

following:

(1)The immediate enrollment in an appropriate public school in their community when a pupil is transferred from the juvenile court school.

(2)The acceptance, upon enrollment by the pupil in a public school, of course credits, including partial

credits, for coursework completed in the juvenile court school, pursuant to subdivision

(b)of Section 51225.2.

(3)The immediate placement in appropriate courses, based on coursework completed by the pupil, pursuant to subdivision (d) of Section 51225.2.

(4)The transfer of complete and accurate education records, including the pupil’s individualized education program adopted pursuant to the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. Sec. 1400 et seq.) and the pupil’s plan adopted pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794(a)), if applicable, when a pupil enters the juvenile court school.

(e)Each pupil detained for more than 20 consecutive schooldays shall have an individualized transition plan developed by the county office of education in

collaboration with the county probation department, as needed. The individualized transition plan shall be developed before the pupil’s release and reviewed and revised as needed, and shall address, but not be limited to, both of the following:

(1)The academic, behavioral, social-emotional, and career needs of the pupil.

(2)The identification and engagement of programs, including higher education programs, services, and individuals to support a pupil’s successful transition into and out of the juvenile detention facility.

(f)Each pupil detained for more than 20 consecutive schooldays shall have all of the following accessible to the holder of the educational rights for that pupil upon the pupil’s release from the juvenile detention facility:

(1)School transcripts.

(2)The pupil’s individualized learning plan, if applicable. For purposes of this section, an individualized learning plan is a plan developed collaboratively by a pupil and school personnel that identifies academic and career goals and how the pupil will progress toward meeting those goals.

(3)The pupil’s individualized education program adopted pursuant to the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. Sec. 1400 et seq.), if applicable.

(4)The pupil’s plan adopted pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794(a)), if applicable.

(5)Any academic and vocational assessments.

(6)An analysis of credits completed and needed.

(7)Any certificates or diplomas earned by the pupil.

(g)For each pupil detained for 20 consecutive schooldays or fewer, a copy of the pupil’s individualized learning plan, if one exists, shall be made available by the county office of education to the pupil upon the pupil’s release, if possible.

(h)The county office of education, in collaboration, as needed, with the county probation department, shall establish procedures for the timely, accurate, complete, and confidential

transfer of educational records in compliance with state and federal law.

(i)Notwithstanding any other law, this section applies to juvenile court schools that are operated by, or as, charter schools. As used in this section, “county office of education” includes a charter school that serves juvenile court school pupils.

§ 48648

Amended by Stats. 2024, Ch. 998, Sec. 16. (AB 176) Effective September 30, 2024.

(a)Commencing with the 2024–25 fiscal year, the department shall annually report all of the following on its internet website:

(1)The number and percentage of pupils who leave juvenile court schools or county community schools at any point in a given academic year, who did not earn a high school diploma or a high school equivalency by the end of that academic year, and

who enroll back into a school district or charter school the following academic year.

(2)The number and percentage of pupils who leave juvenile court schools or county community

schools at any point in a given academic year, who do not earn

a high school diploma or a high school equivalency by the end of that academic year, and who do not enroll back into a school district or charter school the following academic year.

(3)Juvenile court school or county community school pupil access to A–G approved courses, high school equivalency tests, accredited

college

coursework, and the number and percentage of pupils who satisfy the A–G course requirements needed to be eligible for admission to the University of California or the California State University.

(4)A statewide summary of outcomes aligned with the California School Dashboard indicators for pupils served by county office of education alternative schools, with the ability to display information by all juvenile court schools, or by all county community schools.

(b)The information reported by the department pursuant to paragraphs (1) to (3), inclusive, of subdivision (a) shall be available at the statewide, county, and school levels.

§ 48649

Amended by Stats. 2023, Ch. 194, Sec. 15. (SB 141) Effective September 13, 2023.

(a)The department shall, within existing resources, enter into a contract for an independent evaluation of county juvenile court and county community schools. On or before November 1, 2025, the Superintendent shall, within existing resources, provide a report of the evaluation to the chairs of the relevant policy committees and budget subcommittees of the Legislature, the executive director of the state board or their designee, and the Director of Finance. The evaluation shall include all of the following:

(1)An analysis of state and federal funding available to support pupils enrolled in county juvenile court schools and county community schools.

(2)The availability and transparency of pupil- and school-level outcome data available for county juvenile court schools and county community schools.

(3)County juvenile court school and county community school pupil enrollment and demographic trends, including:

(A)Enrollment projections.

(B)The impacts of recent changes to pupil expulsion policies, including recent changes to Sections 48900, 48901.1, and 48915.

(C)The impacts of the closure of all California Division of Juvenile Justice facilities pursuant Senate Bill 92 of the 2021–22 Regular Session on county office of education programs.

(D)Recommendations for how the state may collect and utilize pupil- and school-level data related to justice-involved youth as a demographic subgroup, as these youth often make frequent moves between local educational agencies.

(4)A representative sample and summary of cost-sharing agreements between county offices of education and county probation departments or other relevant county agencies related to the operation of county juvenile court schools.

(b)The report required to be submitted pursuant to subdivision (a) shall be submitted consistent with Section 9795 of the Government Code.

§ 48650

Amended by Stats. 2023, Ch. 194, Sec. 16. (SB 141) Effective September 13, 2023.

(a)(1) The Superintendent shall convene a workgroup on meeting the needs of pupils with disabilities who enroll in juvenile court schools operated by county offices of education.

(2)The workgroup shall include, but not be limited to, representatives of county offices education, school districts, charter schools, county probation, county behavioral health, special education local plan areas, regional centers, former pupils of county juvenile court schools and county community schools, staff from the appropriate fiscal subcommittees and policy committees of the Legislature, staff from the state board, and relevant state and national juvenile court school and federal

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. Sec. 1400 et seq.) policy experts.

(3)The workgroup shall examine existing law and current practices regarding the education of pupils with disabilities enrolled in county juvenile court schools and county community schools and make recommendations on improvements regarding all the following, specific to the county juvenile court school setting:

(A)Child find procedures, as required by the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

(B)Referral for, and provision of, timely evaluation, as required by the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

(C)Timely transfer of pupil records

to and from county juvenile court schools, including individualized education programs (IEPs).

(D)Provision of education and related services, as required by pupils’ IEPs.

(E)Provision of education in the least restrictive environment, as required by the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

(F)Staffing of special education certificated and classified positions serving pupils with disabilities, including participation in state educator workforce initiatives.

(G)Implementation of Section 48645.7, transition planning required by the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, and provision for alternate pathways to earn a diploma for pupils

with disabilities.

(H)Family support and dispute prevention and resolution, as required by the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and state law.

(I)Transition planning for pupils with disabilities moving to educational placements after leaving county juvenile court schools and county community day schools.

(J)Compliance monitoring of special education in county juvenile court schools and county community schools.

(K)Coordination and collaboration between county offices and other agencies, including, but not limited to, county probation departments, county courts, county child welfare agencies, county behavioral health care programs, and

regional centers.

(4)To the extent practicable, the workgroup shall leverage the findings related to foster youth pursuant to Assembly Bill 2083 of the 2017–18 Regular Session.

(b)On or before February 25, 2025, the department shall submit a report with findings and recommendations regarding the topics identified in subdivision (a) to the relevant policy and budget committees of the Legislature, the state board, and the Department of Finance.