SACRAMENTO — State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell today announced that legislation he sponsored to reduce student truancy and improve assistance for low-performing schools has been signed into law by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger:

AB 2181, by Assembly member Simon Salinas (D-Salinas), extends the authority of a court to order parents or guardians of truant students to immediately enroll or re-enroll students in school or an educational program and provide proof of enrollment to the court.

"Education is the key to a young person's future," O'Connell said. "The adults in a young person's life should ensure that they go to school. But if that doesn't happen, this bill protects students by giving the court additional authority to ensure that they attend school. I want to thank Assembly member Salinas for authoring this important measure."

AB 2254, by Assembly member Jackie Goldberg (D-Los Angeles), defines eligibility and time lines and sanctions exit criteria for future cohorts of schools in the High Priority Program.

"Accountability is a major component of California's education reform effort," O'Connell said. "But our schools must face the challenge of meeting the requirements of both the state and the federal accountability systems. This bill will help to focus our efforts on helping schools that are struggling with low student achievement, and specify how schools that are on the right track can exit state sanctions. I would like to thank both Assembly member Goldberg and Assembly member Tom Umberg (D-Santa Ana) for their hard work to improve the High Priority Program."