Assemblymember Rhodesia Ransom Helps Juvenile Court School Students Continue Their Education Without Disruption by Closing Gaps in Transition Support

Sacramento, CA- Assemblymember Rhodesia Ransom recently introduced Assembly Bill 1659 to support the continuation of education for justice-involved youth.

AB 1659, sponsored by the Alameda County Office of Education, closes current gaps in support for justice-impacted youth returning to their home district by requiring a dedicated staff member to ensure a warm hand-off for these students during a vulnerable time.

"Students who are justice impacted are, first and foremost, children who deserve stability, care, and support, especially during major transitions in their lives. When we give them the tools they need to succeed and reduce disruptions to their education, we help them stay engaged, focused on their future, and moving toward success."

- Assemblymember Rhodesia Ransom

The Problem

Across California, many students continue working toward graduation while placed in juvenile court schools, the school's county offices of education operate in probation's juvenile halls and camps. California Department of Education (CDE) data show that over the 2023-24 school year, a cumulative total of 13,203 unduplicated students were enrolled in a juvenile court school while detained in a juvenile hall or camp.

Juvenile court school programs provide critical instruction and support for students during difficult periods in their lives. When students are released from detention by the juvenile court, they need support to re-enroll in their home school district, to be placed in appropriate courses, and to get credit for the work they completed while in the court school. Without this support, the outcomes for these students can be poor. Data show that court school students are five times more likely to drop out of school than their peers in comprehensive high schools.

"At the Alameda County Office of Education, we know that the moment of release from detention can be a defining moment in whether a young person re-enters school or re-offends," said Alameda County Superintendent of Schools Alysse Castro. "This bill would help ensure that students returning from court school do not fall through the cracks and can return to their home school districts without delay, stay engaged, and continue moving toward graduation. We thank Assemblymember Ransom for her leadership in authoring the bill." The Alameda County Office of Education has worked closely with education leaders across the state to identify ways to improve outcomes for juvenile court and community school students.

The bill also sets clear timelines for assessing partial academic credits, so that court school students, and all mobile student populations, get credit for the work they have completed and can stay on track to graduate without unnecessary delays.

Local Impact

In Assembly District 13, the San Joaquin County Office of Education enrolled a cumulative total of 431 students in its juvenile court school in 2024-25, according to CDE data.

By closing the gaps in transition support, AB 1659 helps ensure that juvenile court school students return successfully to their home district school and can achieve their academic goals.