(a) A parent or guardian of a pupil, regardless of the pupil’s age or class level, may petition the governing board of the school district in which the pupil is enrolled to authorize the attendance of the pupil at a community college as a special full-time student on the ground that the pupil would benefit from advanced scholastic or vocational work that would thereby be available. If the governing board denies the petition, the pupil’s parent or guardian may file an appeal with the county board of education, which shall render a final decision on the petition in writing within 30 days.

(b) A pupil who attends a community college as a special full-time student pursuant to this section is exempt from compulsory school attendance under Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 46100) of Part 26.

(c) A parent or guardian of a pupil who is not enrolled in a public school may directly petition the president of any community college to authorize the attendance of the pupil at the community college as a special part-time or full-time student on the ground that the pupil would benefit from advanced scholastic or vocational work that would thereby be available.

(d) Any pupil authorized to attend a community college as a special full-time student shall, nevertheless, be required to undertake courses of instruction of a scope and duration sufficient to satisfy the requirements of law.

(e) For purposes of allowances and apportionments from the State School Fund, a community college shall be credited with additional units of average daily attendance attributable to the attendance of special full-time students at the community college.

(Amended by Stats. 2003, Ch. 786, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2004.)