JEA - Compulsory School Attendance
COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE
Compulsory education is essential to the preservation of the rights
and liberties of the people and the continued prosperity of our nation.
Maintaining regular student attendance is necessary to achieve the goal
of an educated citizenry.
Compulsory Attendance Ages
Under state law, full-time attendance at school is required of all children
between the ages of 7 and 17.
Excusable Absences from School
A person’s absence from school is excused when the absence is for
one of the following reasons:
A. Personal illness;
B. An appointment with a health professional that must be made during
the regular school day;
C. Observance of a recognized religious holiday when the observance is
required during the regular school day;
D. A family emergency;
E. A planned absence for a personal or educational purpose which has
been approved.
Adult Responsibility for School Attendance
Parents or other adults having control of a person of compulsory attendance
age are responsible for ensuring that a student attends school as required
by law. The Board expects school administrators and staff to work with
families in an effort to ensure compliance.
Exceptions to the Compulsory Attendance Requirement
A person may be excused from compulsory attendance at school under one
of the following conditions:
A. S/he graduates from high school before her/his 17th birthday.
B. S/he has:
1. Reached the age of 15 years or completed the 9th grade;
2. Received permission to leave school from her/his parent;
3. Been approved by the principal for a suitable program of work and
study or training;
4. Received permission to leave school from the Board or its designee;
and,
5. Agreed in writing with that person’s parent and the Board or
its designee to meet annually until that person’s 17th birthday
to review that person’s educational needs.
If a request to be excused from school is denied pursuant to this paragraph,
the student’s parent may appeal to the Commissioner of Education.
C. S/he is at least 15 years of age and the attendance requirement has
been waived by the Board under the truancy law.
D. S/he has matriculated and is attending an accredited post-secondary,
degree-granting institution as a full-time student. An exception to
the compulsory attendance law under this paragraph must be approved
by the Commissioner of Education.
Alternatives to Attendance in Public Schools
A person shall be excused from attending a public day school if s/he
obtains equivalent instruction as allow by law.
Equivalent instruction alternatives are as follows:
A. A private school approved for attendance purposes pursuant to state
law and regulations;
B. A private school recognized by the Department of Education as providing
equivalent instruction;
C. A home instruction program that complies with state law and regulations;
or
D. Any other manner arranged by the Board and approved by the Commissioner
of Education.
A student shall be credited with attendance at a private school under
Paragraphs A or B only if the legally required certificate from the private
school is filed with the student’s school unit.
Legal Reference: 20-A MRSA ¶5001-A seq.; 5051 et seq.;2901; 5104-A;
Chapters 125 and 127 (Maine Department of Education Rules)
Cross Reference:
Replaces original JEA/JHB Student Attendance and Truancy
ADOPTED: December 7, 2007
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