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Education Commission of the States • 700 Broadway, Suite 810 • Denver, CO 80203-3442 • 303.299.3600 • Fax: 303.296.8332 • www.ecs.org
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Student Accountability Initiatives: State Has Set 18 as Upper Compulsory School Age
These laws relate to the upper age states set for mandatory student attendance, which are typically from 16-18. Parents and guardians who fail to send their compulsory age children to school typically face criminal penalties.
Why does it matter? Parents and students need to know that attendance matters, and that there are consequences to not attending school.
Highlights:
Twenty states have set 18 as the upper compulsory age.
Eight states (Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Maine, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Tennessee) have set 17 as the upper compulsory age.
Twenty-two states have set 16 as the upper compulsory age.
Two states (Massachusetts and Missouri) allow the local education agency to determine the upper compulsory age. Methodology: This information was collected from state statutes, rules and regulations, and state education agencies, and will be updated as new policies and programs are enacted. Sources for all data points are available through this link. Last updated: July 30, 2007 Research conducted by Michael Colasanti. Please contact Jennifer Dounay Zinth at 303.299.3689 or jdounay@ecs.org with comments or questions about this database. |
| Alabama |
No, the upper compulsory age is 16 |
| Alaska |
No, the upper compulsory age is 16 |
| American Samoa |
|
| Arizona |
No, the upper compulsory age is 16 |
| Arkansas |
No, the upper compulsory age is 17 |
| California |
Yes |
| Colorado |
No, the upper compulsory age is 17 |
| Connecticut |
Yes |
| Delaware |
No, the upper compulsory age is 16 |
| District of Columbia |
Yes |
| Florida |
No, the upper compulsory age is 16 |
| Georgia |
No, the upper compulsory age is 16 |
| Hawaii |
Yes |
| Idaho |
No, the upper compulsory age is 16 |
| Illinois |
No, the upper compulsory age is 17 |
| Indiana |
Yes |
| Iowa |
No, the upper compulsory age is 16 |
| Kansas |
Yes |
| Kentucky |
No, the upper compulsory age is 16 |
| Louisiana |
Yes |
| Maine |
No, the upper compulsory age is 17 |
| Maryland |
No, the upper compulsory age is 16 |
| Massachusetts |
No, the upper compulsory age is set by the local school board |
| Michigan |
No, the upper compulsory age is 16 |
| Minnesota |
No, the upper compulsory age is 16 |
| Mississippi |
No, the upper compulsory age is 17 |
| Missouri |
No, the upper compulsory age is determined by the local school district |
| Montana |
No, the upper compulsory age is 16 |
| Nebraska |
Yes |
| Nevada |
Yes |
| New Hampshire |
Yes |
| New Jersey |
No, the upper compulsory age is 16 |
| New Mexico |
Yes |
| New York |
No, the upper compulsory age is 16 |
| North Carolina |
No, the upper compulsory age is 16 |
| North Dakota |
No, the upper compulsory age is 16 |
| Ohio |
Yes |
| Oklahoma |
Yes |
| Oregon |
Yes |
| Pennsylvania |
No, the upper compulsory age is 17 |
| Puerto Rico |
No, there is no upper compulsory age |
| Rhode Island |
No, the upper compulsory age is 16 |
| South Carolina |
No, the upper compulsory age is 17 |
| South Dakota |
Yes |
| Tennessee |
No, the upper compulsory age is 17 |
| Texas |
Yes |
| Utah |
Yes |
| Vermont |
No, the upper compulsory age is 16 |
| Virgin Islands |
No, the upper compulsory age is 16 |
| Virginia |
Yes |
| Washington |
Yes |
| West Virginia |
No, the upper compulsory age is 16 |
| Wisconsin |
Yes |
| Wyoming |
No, the upper compulsory age is 16 |