Title 20-A: EDUCATION

Part 2: SCHOOL ORGANIZATION

Chapter 119: UNORGANIZED TERRITORY

Subchapter 2-A: COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE

§3271. Compulsory attendance at school

1.  Required attendance.  Persons residing in the unorganized territory who are at least 6 years of age and under 17 years of age shall attend a public day elementary or secondary school or an approved private school during the time it is in session.  

[PL 2019, c. 508, §1 (AMD).]

1-A.  Attendance of persons 5 years of age or older and under 6 years of age.  A person 5 years of age or older and under 6 years of age who is enrolled in and who has not withdrawn from a public day school is required to attend that school during the time it is in session.  

[PL 2019, c. 508, §2 (AMD).]

2.  Alternative instruction.  Alternative instruction may be substituted for attendance in a day school in the following cases when approved by the school principal. A person 5 years of age or older and under 6 years of age is not required to meet the requirements of this subsection.  

A. The person is enrolled in an approved special education program.   [PL 1985, c. 490, §8 (NEW).]

B. The person obtains equivalent instruction through alternative learning or in any other manner arranged or approved by the commissioner.   [PL 2007, c. 667, §4 (AMD).]

C. [PL 1989, c. 415, §3 (RP).]

[PL 2019, c. 508, §3 (AMD).]

3.  Exceptions.  Attendance at school or an alternative education program is not required of:  

A. A person who has graduated from high school before the person's 17th birthday;   [PL 2007, c. 667, §5 (AMD).]

B. A person who is at least 15 years old, has completed the 9th grade and has permission to leave school to participate in a suitable program of training or combined work and study from a parent and the commissioner; and   [PL 1989, c. 415, §4 (AMD).]

C. A person who has been adjudged a truant and has been excused from attendance pursuant to procedures established by the commissioner.   [PL 2011, c. 614, §8 (AMD).]

[PL 2011, c. 614, §8 (AMD).]

SECTION HISTORY

PL 1985, c. 490, §8 (NEW). PL 1989, c. 415, §§3,4 (AMD). PL 2007, c. 667, §§4, 5 (AMD). PL 2011, c. 614, §8 (AMD). PL 2019, c. 235, §§1, 2 (AMD). PL 2019, c. 508, §§1-3 (AMD).