Pupil attendance: excused absences: career technical education.

Senator Dahle's proposal to expand California's excused absence policy would allow middle and high school students to participate in career technical education enhancement activities without academic penalties. The measure adds workplace-based learning experiences to the state's existing list of valid reasons for missing school.

Under the proposed changes, students must notify their school in advance and are automatically granted one full day per academic year for career technical education activities. School administrators retain discretion to approve additional absences beyond this baseline allowance. The bill defines career technical education enhancement as experiences that connect classroom learning to real workplace activities and future career opportunities.

The measure maintains current requirements for students to complete missed assignments and tests within a reasonable timeframe. While these absences would count in attendance calculations, they would not affect state funding allocations to schools. Local educational agencies would receive state reimbursement for any additional administrative costs associated with implementing the new absence category.