REDUCING CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM - PowerPoint Presentation

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REDUCING CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM

FAMILY ENGAGEMENT NETWORK 3/14/18Susan Levine, Ed.D.Director of Pupil and Administrative Services (PAS)Riverside County Office of Education(951) 826-6448, slevine@rcoe.usAmir Alavi, Esq.Deputy District Attorney, Crime Prevention UnitCountywide SARB Coordinator & Prosecutor(858) 722-9992 – cell, amiralavi@rivcoda.org

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TODAY’S AGENDA

IntroductionsThe ProblemDefinitionsNational StatisticsRiverside County StatisticsPlan of Attack-tier I, tier II, tier IIISART/SARBDA Mediation/Legal System InvolvementBest Practices

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DEFINITION - Truancy

TRUANCY: Ed. Code § 48260“a pupil subject to compulsory full-time education or to compulsory continuation education, who is absent from school without a valid excuse three full days in one school year or tardy or absent for more than a 30-minute period during the school day without a valid excuse on three occasions in one school year, or any combination thereof, shall be classified as a truant and shall be reported to the attendance supervisor or to the superintendent of the school district.”

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DEFINITION – Chronic Truant

CHRONIC TRUANT: Ed. Code § 48263.6“Any pupil subject to compulsory full-time education or to compulsory continuation education, who is absent from school without a valid excuse for 10% or more of the schooldays in one school year, from the date enrolled to the current date, is deemed a chronic truant, provided that the appropriate school district officer or employee has complied with Sections 48260, 48260.5, 48261, 48262, 48263 and 48291.”

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DEFINITION - Chronic Absentee

CHRONIC ABSENTEE Ed. Code § 60901(c) For purposes of this section, "chronic absentee" means a pupil who is absent on 10 percent or more of the schooldays in the school year when the total number of days a pupil is absent is divided by the total number of days the pupil is enrolled and school was actually taught in the regular day schools of the district, exclusive of Saturdays and Sundays.

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What is Chronic Absence?

Unexcused absences

ChronicAbsence

Chronic absence is different from

truancy (unexcused absences only) or average daily attendance (how many students show up to school each day).

Chronic absence is missing so much school for any reason that a student is academically at risk. Attendance Works recommends defining it as missing 10% or more of school for any reason.

Excusedabsences

Suspensions

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Reflects New Paradigmon Attendance

TruancyCounts unexcused absencesEmphasizes compliance with school rulesUses legal, typically more punitive solutions

Chronic AbsenceCounts all absencesEmphasizes academic impact of missed days.Uses preventive strategies, positive messaging

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Attorney General In School & On Track 2016 Report

ADA Conceals True Figures

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ADA Conceals True Figures

EXAMPLE HIGH SCHOOL (EHS) – 2119 Students(State SARB Handbook - 2015, p.19)95% ADA  Staff Very PleasedHOWEVER:20,598 Days Missed in 2011-12341 Students  11,162 Absences16% of Students Caused 54% of ALL AbsencesMembers of 341 Group averaged 32 absences/yearMOST EXCUSED!

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First Ever National Chronic Absence Data Released in June 2016

Source: U.S. Department of Education Civil Rights Data Collection

https://www2.ed.gov/datastory/chronicabsenteeism.html

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Source: U.S. Department of Education Civil Rights Data Collection SY 2013-14

https://www2.ed.gov/datastory/chronicabsenteeism.html

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In one out of five schools, 20 percent of students or more are chronically absent, while in slightly more than half of all schools it is < 10 percent

Percent of Students Chronically AbsentNumber of SchoolsPercent of SchoolsExtreme Chronic Absence (30%+)9,921 High Chronic Absence (20-29%)10,330 Significant Chronic Absence (10-19%)28,320 Modest Chronic Absence (5-9%)21,190Low Chronic Absence (0-4%)22,572 Grand Total92,333 

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COST TO SOCIETY

For Each 120,000 cohort of 20 Y.O. DropoutsCA sustains $4.6 billion in economic losses2.9% of CA Annual GDPCA Local Gov.’s  $9.5 billion in fiscal losses $3.1 billion in lost state and local tax revenues$3.5 billion in health expenditures$2.5 billion in crime expenditures$400 million in welfare expenditures (Truancy In California 2017, CDAA, p.9)

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OUR COUNTY-TRUANCY

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OUR COUNTY

ADD MATERIAL

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CountyGrades K-12 Cumulative EnrollmentGrades K-12 Chronic Absenteeism CountGrades K-12 Chronic Absenteeism RateGrade K Chronic Absenteeism RateGrades 1-3 Chronic Absenteeism RateGrades 4-6 Chronic Absenteeism RateGrades 7-8 Chronic Absenteeism RateGrades K-8 Chronic Absenteeism RateGrades 9-12 Chronic Absenteeism RateAlameda235,47025,62410.9%13.7%9.1%7.8%8.5%9.1%15.0%Contra Costa184,03621,51111.7%14.8%9.5%8.2%9.4%9.7%15.9%Fresno210,13928,47713.6%17.7%10.7%9.5%13.1%11.7%17.8%Kern195,21626,18813.4%17.0%10.7%9.5%13.8%11.8%17.2%Los Angeles1,571,756175,23811.1%15.1%8.6%7.3%8.4%9.0%15.6%Orange505,77542,2018.3%11.0%5.7%5.0%6.9%6.4%12.2%Riverside449,49359,47413.2%16.4%9.9%8.8%12.0%10.8%18.4%Sacramento258,72038,32614.8%19.1%14.5%10.2%12.3%13.2%18.5%San Bernardino434,15159,19013.6%18.5%10.8%9.2%12.2%11.5%18.2%San Diego529,96156,86710.7%13.1%7.9%7.0%8.3%8.4%15.6%Santa Clara282,77425,8749.2%12.0%6.4%5.7%7.5%7.1%13.7%State of CA#######694,03010.8%14.0%8.1%7.0%9.0%8.7%15.4%

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DistrictGrades K-12 Cumulative EnrollmentGrades K-12 Chronic Absenteeism CountGrades K-12 Chronic Absenteeism RateGrade K Chronic Absenteeism RateGrades 1-3 Chronic Absenteeism RateGrades 4-6 Chronic Absenteeism RateGrades 7-8 Chronic Absenteeism RateGrades K-8 Chronic Absenteeism RateGrades 9-12 Chronic Absenteeism RateAlvord Unified20,7672,51912.1%15.8%8.5%7.2%9.6%9.3%18.3%Banning Unified5,06389217.6%20.5%13.5%13.2%17.1%15.2%23.8%Beaumont Unified10,7601,0649.9%11.7%9.0%8.3%7.7%8.8%12.5%California School for the Deaf-Riverside3739425.2%30.0%33.3%22.8%28.3%28.1%22.3%Coachella Valley Unified19,7423,11715.8%14.3%9.6%9.7%15.4%11.5%26.9%Corona-Norco Unified56,0254,3797.8%10.0%5.3%4.6%5.8%5.7%12.0%Desert Center Unified21419.0%****19.0% Desert Sands Unified30,1513,97613.2%15.5%9.2%8.3%10.5%10.0%19.7%Hemet Unified24,0684,36618.1%25.2%14.6%13.3%15.8%15.8%23.2%Jurupa Unified20,6082,21010.7%13.9%7.8%6.2%11.4%8.8%15.0%Lake Elsinore Unified23,6463,02312.8%18.1%9.6%8.7%12.3%11.0%16.9%Menifee Union Elementary12,5301,0178.1%12.0%7.4%5.9%9.9%8.0%10.5%Moreno Valley Unified36,5755,85916.0%22.9%13.7%12.1%16.4%14.9%18.5%Murrieta Valley Unified24,2722,1668.9%10.3%6.2%5.9%6.9%6.7%12.5%Nuview Union3,1992758.6%15.2%7.4%6.4%12.5%8.9%7.5%Palm Springs Unified24,4653,88515.9%20.8%14.0%12.5%17.3%15.0%17.8%Palo Verde Unified3,25566220.3%19.6%16.1%17.1%23.2%18.5%24.3%Perris Elementary6,50376711.8%19.2%12.1%9.5%3.1%11.8% Perris Union High11,5921,98217.1%  4.4%14.6%13.5%17.8%Riverside County Office of Education11,4731,1219.8%7.3%6.2%6.0%8.7%6.8%13.9%Riverside Unified45,2034,85910.7%14.0%8.5%7.7%9.9%9.3%13.9%Romoland Elementary4,23446110.9%14.3%10.9%9.5%10.9%10.9% San Jacinto Unified12,3521,54012.5%12.7%8.0%7.8%12.0%9.4%20.1%SBE - Baypoint Preparatory Academy4244510.6%14.7%11.4%7.1%13.0%10.8%8.6%Temecula Valley Unified31,4983,39410.8%11.4%7.3%6.8%10.4%8.3%15.5%Val Verde Unified21,6071,8838.7%11.2%6.1%5.1%6.0%6.3%13.7%Riverside County449,49359,47413.2%16.4%9.9%8.8%12.0%10.8%18.4%State of CA6,405,496694,03010.8%14.0%8.1%7.0%9.0%8.7%15.4%

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PARTNER ACTIVITY

Share with an elbow partner the “ah has” you see in the County data.Now share the “ah has” in your District’s data.

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ADMINISTRATOR LEADERSHIP

Identify or establish a team to address attendanceDevelop an initial plan of actionCreate a tiered system of supportsInvest in professional developmentTap community partners for help    

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ADMINISTRATORS’ CHALLENGE

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Identify or establish a team to address attendance

Identify additional staff who can help launch the work. Ideally this would include those familiar with attendance data, parent engagement activities, student behavior, family supports, as well as the ability to help engage other teachers. This team should meet regularly to review the school’s attendance data and coordinate efforts to reduce chronic absence.

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Develop an initial plan of action

Conduct a school assessment with your team to develop a shared picture of strengths, challenges and opportunities for action and to identify what are the most critical next steps for putting in place effective practice

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Tiered Interventions

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PREVENTION – TIER 1

Tier I interventions are the school wide program that all students get.These are positive to promote a robust school climate.The Tier I plan should engage students, school staff, families and the community.Data collected will assist in intervention and support.

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Tier 1: Creating a Positive, Engaging School Climate that Supports Attendance

Attendance is higher when schools: Promote a sense of belonging and connection including noticing when students show upMake learning engaging so students don’t want to miss classEngage in restorative practice not punishment Meet the basic needs of our most economically challenged families so all have the opportunity to get to schoolBuild awareness about how absences can easily add up to too much time lost in the classroom

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Tier I Parent Involvement

Inform parents about how your school’s attendance incentive program worksProvide parents with info about local resources that can offer economic and social supportCreate opportunities for parents to share barriers and strategiesShare data on attendance and chronic absence Share school wide goals as well

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Recognizing Good AttendanceAssemblies, Certificates, Awards…Prizes: Bikes, Movie Tickets, Field TripsSchool Based Health SupportsInsurance AssistanceVaccination & Immunization AssistanceParent Education – Group D.A. Attendance Presentations

Examples of Tier 1 InterventionsRiverside County

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School Climate Video

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Discuss what struck you about this video?How does climate affect a student’s attendance?How might you use this video clip?

With an elbow partner….

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Criteria for Identifying Priority Students for Tier 2 Supports

Chronic absence (missed 10% or more of school) in the prior year, assuming data is available.And/or starting in the beginning of the school year, student has:

In first 2 weeks

In first month (4 weeks)

In first 2 months (8 weeks)

2 absences

2-3 absences

4 absences

Missing 10% any time after

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Unpack Contributing Factors to Chronic Absence

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Walking school busPeer group mentorsAfterschool programsHomework clubsSupport groups / affinity groups

Examples of Tier 2 Group Interventions

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Home VisitsParent Conferences: SSTs & SARTsIdentifying Barriers, Aversions & ObstaclesSupport Services/Resources/InterventionsAttendance Contracts (SART)Following Up & Monitoring Progress

Examples of Tier 2 Individual Interventions

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SART Overview (TIER II)

PURPOSE: To Meet with Families Individually To Listen & to Connect with Families To Identify Reasons for Absenteeism To Provide Services to Address Reasons To Build Rapport & Relationships To Discuss Importance of Attendance To Show School Site Really Cares… To PREVENT NEED FOR SARB!!

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SART-THE MOST IMPORTANT ATTENDANCE MEETING

COMMON CHALLENGES

Getting Parents & Students to Attend SART

Hosting Individual SARTs vs. Group SARTs

Staffing of SART

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Providing Resources, Services, & Interventions

Utilizing Contracts

Following Up with Families

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Who Can Help Families in Tier 3?

Community schoolsFamily liaisonsSchool integrated service teamsIEP/504 teamsCommunity mental health servicesFamily resource centersSchool-based health centersMcKinney Vento representativesPublic agenciesWho would you add to this list?

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Case Management & Wrap-Around ServicesReferral to SARB & SARB MeetingSARB Contract & Additional Support ServicesReferral to D.A. Truancy MediationCourt Intervention

Examples of Tier 3 Interventions

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OVERALL SARB Process

LETTERSNotifications of Truancy ORNotifications of Excessive Excused AbsencesCONFERENCES:SARTSARBDA Mediation  Potential Prosecution

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Legal Action & Filing A Case?

Remember, the DA’s Office Can Prosecute Only for Unexcused Absences. District Can Send Letters, SART and SARB for Excused Absences.No Laws Regarding Excessive Excused Absences So We Do Not Have to Wait to Send Letters and Bring These Families in to Talk.Best Practice – Consider Excused and Unexcused Absences for SARB ProcessPARALLEL TRACKS…

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SARB MEETING Overview

SARB GOALSIMPACT ON FAMILIES – “Wow” FactorBREADTH OF PERSPECTIVESBROAD RANGE OF SERVICESTONE: Friendly, Congenial, More FormalA ROBUST PANEL = KEY TO SUCCESS

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SARB MEETING Overview

THE SARB PANEL – E.C. 48321(b)(1)ParentSchool District RepCounty Welfare Dept. RepCounty School Superintendent RepLaw Enforcement RepCommunity Based Youth Services RepSchool Guidance Personnel RepCWA PersonnelSchool or County Health Care PersonnelMental Health Rep. (School, County, Community)District Attorney’s Office RepAnyone Else You Feel May HelpCollege Student?, Alumni?, Mentoring Program? Probation?, Community Leader?, Business Person?

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Winning the Cause!

The CAUSE vs. The CASE…2014-2015; 2015-2016Approx. 20 Misdemeanors Filed CountywideHundreds of Citations Each Year CountywideWE LOSE THE CAUSE EACH TIME WE FILE A CASEHow to WIN THE CAUSE?Helping Families Overcome BarriersSERVICES, SERVICES, SERVICES!!EARLY & OFTEN

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SARB CONTRACT: SERVICES

SUPPORT SERVICES OFFERED TO ADDRESS ABSENCES & TRUANCIES Attend Parenting Classes / Parenting Program offered at:___,on ______.Saturday School at ___on: __, (one session clears one unexcused absence).Illness Verification Through School Staff/Health Clerk/School NurseTutoring located at:_____, starting on:_____________ until_________.After School Program located at:__, starting on:__________ until______.Make up classes for unexcused absences located at:________, on:______.Appointment with School Counselor:____, to address:_____. at:___, on:__.Appointment with School Resource Officer:__to address:__, at:__, on:___.Regarding bullying:____________________________________________.Online student monitoring system; __No computer access, alternative:___.School/Class Schedule changed as follows:_______________.Alternative Education as follows:_______________.Alternative School Placement as follows: _______________.Other Services Offered: _(Transportation Plan??)__***CASE SPECIFIC

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Prosecution – Consequences

MISDEMEANORS: 1ST through 8th Grade Only (Possibly K if Student is 6 all year)10% + Unexcused Absences / CHRONIC TRUANT & SARB Process Followed &Sufficient Services OfferedCITATIONS:1ST Through 8th Grade with Less than 10% Unexcused9th Grade and Above Citations Only: Higher StandardStandard: Parents Clearly At Fault / Not ReasonableHelpful if Younger Siblings Show Same Pattern Services Still Required

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Prosecution & SERVICES

SERVICES REQUIRED BY LAW: ELEMENTS Explained…ELEMENTS OF P.C. 270.1 K – 8th (K, Must Be 6 Entire School Year)Chronic Truant Per E.C. 48263.6Parent Failed To Reasonably Supervise/Encourage AttendanceLanguage Accessible SERVICES To Address TruancyMax. Punishment: Fine Up To $2,000 & 1 Year JailDON’T WAIT, EARLY INTERVENTION WORKS BEST!

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19,255 ADA 5 HS, 4 MS, 14 ESEL-37%, SPED-10.32%, low SES-79%Alvord A-Team-Attendance, Attitude, AchievementHighly qualified SARB panelSupport Services-counseling, tutoring, transportation assistance with a bike program, health staff, Saturday school, mental health support, food and clothing help

Model SARB DistrictAlvord Unified

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4939 ADA2 HS, 1 MS, 4ESEL -19% SPED-11.6% low SES-90%Challenges-povertyBeefed up support staff/Strong SARB panelSupport Services-MTSS facilitators for each tier, bilingual Parent Outreach Consultant, PD for support staff, BUSST (Banning Unified Student Services Team), All Day/Everyday Attendance campaign, $250 per classroom

Model SARB DistrictBanning Unified

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22,000 ADA5 HS, 4 MS, 3 k-8, 9 k-5EL-14%, SPED-14%, low SES 80%Challenges-) high crime neighborhood areas and lack of awareness by parents of compulsory education laws, and failure to place education as a prioritySupports-transportation routing (safe passage routes, working with property managers, PBIS, restorative justice program, data review

Model SARB DistrictHemet Unified

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ADA 43,0008 HS, 8 MS, 31 ESEL-17%, SPED-11%, low SES- 61%Challenges-Anxiety, Access to Health Care, Student Engagement, Health issues, Lack of Credits, Transiency, HomelessnessSupports-MTSS, Student Assistance Program, Family Resource Center, Youth Accountability Team, Staff Development, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Restorative Practices

Model SARB DistrictRiverside Unified

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Attendance initiatives (in CA) should be funded with LCFF funds and delineated in the goals and actions of your LCAP.Attendance falls under Priority 5: Pupil engagement, as measured by all of the following, as applicable: a. School attendance rates. b. Chronic absenteeism rates. c. Middle school dropout rates, as described in paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) of Section 52052.1. d. High school dropout rates. e. High school graduation ratesTitle I can also be used to fund attendance tasks

How Can You Fund Your Attendance Initiative?

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Discuss with an elbow partner..How are you funding attendance initiatives in your district/school?

Funding Options Discussion

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Chronic Absence is Like a Warning Light on Your Car Dashboard

The Parallels:

Ignore it at your personal peril!Address early or potentially pay more (lots more) later.The key is to ask why is this blinking? What could this mean?

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RESOURCES

www.attendanceworks.orghttp://www.attendanceworks.org/research/portraits-of-change/Absenteeism & Truancy: Interventions and Universal Procedures Paperback – 2013  Ph.D William Jenson , Ph.D Randy Sprick , M.S Jessica Sprick http://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/ai/sb/sarbhandbook.asphttps://oag.ca.gov/truancy (“In School and On Track”)

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Comments / Questions?Dr. Susan LevineDirector of Pupil and Administrative Services (PAS)Riverside County Office of Education(951) 826-6448, slevine@rcoe.usAmir AlaviDeputy District Attorney, Crime Prevention UnitCountywide SARB Coordinator & Prosecutor(858) 722-9992 – cell, amiralavi@rivcoda.org

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