Age requirements for free and compulsory education help policymakers ensure that students receive the benefits of early education and support a reduction in dropout rates. Depending on the state, students are required to attend school for as few as nine years and up to 13 years. However, exemptions exist on both sides of the K-12 spectrum to…

In 2009, the North Dakota legislature passed SB 2217, which lowered the penalty for truancy from a felony to an infraction for a first offense and a class B misdemeanor for a second or subsequent offense. Additionally, the legislature required the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction (DPI) to convene a workgroup to further study truancy…

What is the mandatory age of attendance in each of the states? Specifically, what is the age at which a student may leave school with or without parental consent, and what if any caveats or requirements are attached to dropping out? To answer these questions, the Regional Educational Laboratory Southeast (REL-SE) staff conducted a Google search…

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)

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)

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…

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…

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)

Discusses court cases and proposed legislation dealing with such issues as school prayer and the right of parents to educate students at home for religious reasons. (JM)

THIS DISSERTATION SHOWED THE LEGAL STATUS OF NONPUBLIC SCHOOLS IN THE UNITED STATES. CONCLUSIONS WERE REACHED ON SEVERAL TOPICS BASED UPON A STUDY OF (1) BACKGROUND LITERATURE AND RELATED RESEARCH, (2) THE CONSTITUTIONS AND STATUTES OF THE 50 STATES, AND (3) RELATED COURT DECISIONS. (LP)

Absenteeism has personal as well as institutional causes. It is increasingly impossible for schools to function as custodians of their student, given changing social attitudes toward both youth and authority. Therefore, schools must respond to students' needs by curricular revision, for example, in order to cut down on absenteeism. Hazell…

This report contains a State-by-State compilation of data obtained from responses to questionnaires sent to State departments of education, legislative service agencies, State school boards associations, and State offices of the NEA and of the AFT. The information from these responses was supplemented by material gathered from a review of…

Examines first the right of parents to decide educational issues that affect their children and then the bases for children's rights. Proposes a standard for insuring that children's interests are protected when conflicts erupt over an educational issue. (Author/MLF)

Examines state laws and the actions of various courts on home instruction and unauthorized educational programs. Suggests reforming the regulation of private education through legislative action that requires periodic testing as an alternative to compulsory school attendance. (Author/MLF)

Many parents critical of public education have removed their children from public schools and are schooling them at home. Home schooling has generated a number of lawsuits. Controversies have arisen over the definitions of "school" and of "equivalent instruction," parents' qualifications to teach, and religious exemptions from…