This 50-State Review defines and explores free and compulsory education, and includes state examples, policy considerations, exemptions and requirements.

When the economy weakens, heightened consideration is given to ways in which schools can more efficiently use financial resources. Discussions about implementing four-day school weeks--with students attending school more hours each day--are surfacing again in some states. While the need to balance the budget is real, the current emphasis on…

Reviews recent changes in North Carolina law and policy affecting compulsory school attendance and status offenders. Status offenders are children who commit offenses that are unique to children--such as being truant, running away from home, or being beyond the disciplinary control of their parents. (Author/IRT)

The plan described in this report was developed in response to language in the 1979 Budget Act that required the California Department of Education to development a comprehensive plan for addressing problems in administering the state's attendance laws and attendance accounting requirements. The current attendance accounting procedures and…

Revolving around whether schools should open before or after Labor Day are the issues of jobs, tradition, money, and local control. Presents the pros and cons being put forth in discussions in a number of states. (MLF)

The Key State Education Policies on PK-12 Education is intended to inform policymakers and educators about the current status of key education policies that define and shape elementary and secondary education in public schools across the 50 states. The report is part of a continuing series by the Council's State Education Indicators program.…

An examination of the school laws in the 50 states reveals that 47 have penalties that can result in forced incarceration for young people who do not attend school. In a five-year period, 341 young persons were committed to Maryland juvenile institutions for the crime of truancy. During the same time, 2,699 young people were committed to…

Compulsory attendance is desirable, according to the author, for the good of society and the individual, not for the good of the educational establishment. He lists five "wrong" reasons for compulsory student attendance. (Author/DS)

Schoolpeople have instigated compulsory attendance laws, consolidated schools, and the superintendency to defend themselves against parents. In the nineteenth century schoolpeople castigated the poor for indifference; in this century they blame well-to-do parents for permissiveness and for having high expectations for their children. (Author/IRT)

This Wisconsin Legislative Council information memorandum describes 1987 Wisconsin Act 285, relating to truancy and dispositional alternatives for children adjudged delinquent or in need of protection or services based on habitual truancy. Part I of the memorandum lists eight highlights of Act 285. Part II describes statutes not affected by Act…

Examines the nature and extent of the public school attendance problems in California through studying actual school attendance counts made during the fall of 1979. Principal reasons for student absenteeism are also examined. (Author)

In 1974 the Virginia General Assembly adopted a senate resolution directing the state board of education to study laws preventing youths from choosing alternatives to compulsory school attendance. The board appointed a committee that studied the matter and made recommendations concerning the development of graduation requirements reflecting…

This article summarizes the results of a survey measuring attitudes of Tennessee secondary school principals toward student absenteeism. The author offers six suggestions intended to help alleviate this serious problem. (DS)

Investigates the enforcement of the compulsory attendance law by taking court action against parents of chronic absentees in extreme cases. Results indicate this type of enforcement can improve attendance for some students. (Author/HMV)

Reviews some of the circumstances that have prompted North Carolina to modify its parent-residence rule and shows how the state deals with pupil-assignment problems. (Author/IRT)