San Francisco Unified School District and County Office of Education
Board Policy 6186
County Community School
This Board Policy applies to the San Francisco Unified School District and the County Office of Education.
County Community Schools provide an alternative learning environment for students who are experiencing difficulties in a traditional school setting. The program serves students who have been expelled from school, referred by a school attendance review board, placed on probation by the court, or at the request of the pupil’s parent, guardian, or responsible adult. (Education Code 1981)
The county office of education shall operate one or more community schools designed to meet the needs of these students. The Superintendent or designee shall ensure that any such school is operated in accordance with legal requirements related to enrollment, instructional time and facilities.
The purpose of the County Community School is to provide students with the skills and attitudes necessary for success. The emphasis of the program is to interrupt negative behavior patterns; build student social, emotional, and learning skills; reestablish the educational direction of students; and ultimately to transition students successfully to another learning environment. The Board perceives the community school as a flexible component of a comprehensive effort to meet the needs of expelled and other at-risk students throughout the county.
In order to foster positive attitudes and academic progress, the Board recognizes that community schools must give students substantial individual help and support. To provide this support, the Superintendent or designee will collaborate with families, district schools, and community partners to fulfill countywide needs. Community school staff shall collaborate with district counselors, psychologists, and other support staff and with law enforcement, probation, and human services agency staff who work with at-risk youth. To the extent possible, community school programs shall provide a low student-teacher ratio as well as individualized instruction and assessment.
(cf. 1020 – Youth Services)
(cf. 6164.2 – Guidance/Counseling Services)
Alternative Credits (Education Code 51225.3)
In addition to the alternative means of completing high school courses that are outlined in Board Policy 6146.1 (High School Graduation Requirements) and its accompanying Administrative Regulation, students enrolled in county community schools may also fulfill one or more of their high school course requirements through:
- Practical demonstration of skills and competencies (Education Code 51225.3)
- Supervised Work Experience/Community Classroom Programs (5 CCR 10080; Education Code 51225.3)
- Interdisciplinary study (Education Code 51225.3)
- Independent Study (Education Code 51225.3). Notwithstanding any limitations outlined in Board Policy 6102.6 (Independent Study) regarding ‘Types of Independent Study” that are authorized, students enrolled in county community schools are authorized to complete course requirements through Independent Study, subject to the procedural requirements for such study outlined in Board Policy 6102.6 (Standards of Independent Study and Independent Study Agreements).
- Other outside school experiences (Education Code 51225.3)
The Superintendent shall develop Administrative Regulations to further outline the operational requirements for these alternative means.
Diplomas
Students who complete requirements to graduate while enrolled in county community school will be issued a diploma.
Legal Reference:
EDUCATION CODE
1980-1986 County community schools
17085-17096 Emergency portable facilities
17280-17316 Field Act, approvals
17365-17374 Field Act, fitness of occupancy
48660-48666 Community day schools
48900-48926 Suspension or expulsion
WELFARE AND INSTITUTIONS CODE
300 Minors subject to jurisdiction
602 Minors violating laws defining crime; ward of court
UNITED STATES CODE, TITLE 20
1400-1482 Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
UNITED STATES CODE, TITLE 29
794 Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 504
Management Resources:
CDE PROGRAM ADVISORIES
0306.96 Expulsion Policies and Expulsion Placements, SPB: 95/96-04
WEB SITES
CDE, Educational Options Office: http://www.cde.ca.gov/spbranch/essdiv/edoptshome.html
Please note that compare references, or “cf”, refer to CSBA model policies and do not necessarily indicate that the San Francisco Unified School District has adopted the referenced policy.