CA SB 691 Rethinking Truancy Notices: From Punitive to Supportive

EveryDay Labs recently hosted a webinar exploring how California’s new legislation, SB 691, is reshaping truancy communications—and why this matters for students, families, and schools. The conversation featured Dr. Todd Rogers, Professor at the Harvard Kennedy School and Chief Scientist at EveryDay Labs, and Cecelia Leong, Vice President of Programs at Attendance Works.

The Problem with Traditional Truancy Notices

For years, truancy letters in California were written in dense legal jargon, focused on compliance and consequences rather than partnership. Research from Dr. Rogers and colleagues showed that families often struggled to understand these notices. Many underestimated their children’s absences and felt alienated by the punitive tone.

The Power of Supportive Communication

In a large randomized trial with 120,000 families, redesigned truancy letters—simpler, clearer, and more supportive—proved 40% more effective than standard versions at reducing absenteeism. These improved communications emphasized teamwork with families, used plain language, and highlighted the importance of attendance without threats.

SB 691: A Step Forward

Building on this research, California passed SB 691 in 2023. As of July 1, 2025, the first notice of truancy no longer requires intimidating prosecution language. Instead, it encourages collaboration and offers support, including mental health resources. The California Department of Education has released a new template aligned with this approach, co-designed by Rogers and Leong.

Why It Matters

As Leong emphasized, this change is about more than letters—it’s about trust. A supportive first contact helps families feel respected and opens the door to problem-solving. Rogers noted the “double (or even triple) bottom line”: improved student learning, stronger district budgets through higher attendance, and greater return on the resources already invested in classrooms.

What’s Next

Implementing new notices will require updates to district systems, policies, and staff training. But as panelists highlighted, it’s a low-cost, high-impact shift with potential benefits for students, families, and schools alike.

EveryDay Labs will continue this conversation in Part 2 of the webinar series, featuring Monterey Peninsula Unified School District’s experience adopting supportive truancy notices ahead of SB 691. Register here.

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View the full webinar recording

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Webinar slides available here

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