MJUSD
DIVISION 6000
INSTRUCTION
ADMINISTRATIVE REGULATION

STUDENT ASSIGNMENT TO CONTINUATION HIGH SCHOOL

The following guidelines and procedures are to be used in referring students to continuation high school:

Referral Criteria

Those who may be referred are students between the ages of sixteen (16) and eighteen (18) who:

1. are returning from detention in the juvenile justice system;
2. are entering the District from other continuation high schools;
3. are employed full-time;
4. have a prolonged absence record; or
5. would benefit from a more flexible educational approach other than the comprehensive high school and find adjustment at the comprehensive high school too difficult.

Involuntary Transfer to Continuation High School

The Superintendent, or his designee, may involuntarily transfer a pupil to continuation school pursuant to the following procedures:

Grounds for Involuntary Transfer to Continuation School:

1. A pupil may be involuntarily transferred to continuation school for commission of an act set forth in Education Code Section 48900 if the Principal determines that the pupil's presence causes a danger to persons or property or threatens to disrupt the instructional process.
2. A pupil may be involuntarily transferred to continuation school for being habitually truant or irregular in attendance from instruction that the pupil is lawfully required to attend.
3. A pupil may be involuntarily transferred to continuation school based upon behavior only when other means fail to bring about pupil improvement.

Procedures for Involuntary Transfer to Continuation School:

1. When the Superintendent, or his designee, determines that cause exists for the involuntary transfer of a pupil to the continuation school, the Principal shall make that recommendation in writing to the District Administrative Review Board.
2. The Principal shall give written notice to the pupil and the pupil's parent or guardian of the recommendation to the District Administrative Review Board of involuntary transfer of the pupil to the continuation school. The parent or guardian shall be advised of the opportunity to attend the District Administrative Review Board.
3. The Principal recommending the transfer will contact the Principal of the continuation High School regarding the recommendations of involuntary transfer.
4. The District shall convene the District Administrative Review Board to make the determination as to whether the student shall be involuntarily transferred.
   (a) Composition of the District Administrative Review Board:
   (1) Membership shall be decided by the Director of Student Services for each meeting.
   (2) There will be a minimum of three (3) administrators.
   (3) The administrator(s) from the referring shall not be member of the District Administrative Review Board.
   (b) At the District Administrative Review Board hearing, the pupil or the pupil's parent or guardian shall be informed of the specific facts and reasons for the proposed transfer and have the opportunity to inspect all documents relied upon, question any evidence and witnesses presented, and present evidence on the pupil's behalf.
   (c) The pupil may designate one or more representatives and witnesses to be present with the pupil at the meeting.
   (d) The decision to transfer the pupil involuntarily shall be made by the District Administrative Review Board based on a finding that the pupil (1) committed an act enumerated in Section 48900, or (2) has been habitually truant or irregular in attendance from instruction, or (3) based upon the student's behavior when there is evidence that other means have not brought about improvement by the student.
   (e) The decision to transfer shall be in writing, stating the facts and reasons for the decision, and shall be sent to the pupil and the pupil's parent/guardian.

Petition to Return to Regular Instructional Program

1. A pupil involuntarily transferred to continuation school may petition to return to the regular instructional program at the end of the semester following the semester during which the acts leading directly to the involuntary transfer occurred.
2. After receipt of the petition to transfer, the District Administrative Review Board shall schedule a hearing for the pupil to consider the petition to transfer. The panel's decision shall be based on whether the proposed transfer will or will not adversely affect the regular instructional program.

Voluntary Transfer to Continuation School

1. A pupil, with the concurrence of the Principal of Robert McGowan High School, may transfer voluntarily to the continuation school.
2. A pupil who has voluntarily transferred to the continuation school may petition to return to the regular instructional program at the end of the semester following the semester during which the transfer occurred.

Procedures for Referral to Continuation High School

1. All involuntary referrals are made by the Administrative Review Board.
2. Students wishing to transfer voluntarily should initiate the process with the academic advisor at the comprehensive high school.
3. The student and parent/guardian must appear at a pre-enrollment conference for enrollment and orientation prior to the student being accepted.
4. The student must officially withdraw from the comprehensive high school and obtain a withdrawal form. The withdrawal form should be turned in on the first day of attendance at Robert McGowan High School.