# JEA - Compulsory Attendance

**JEA<span class="Apple-converted-space"> - </span>Compulsory Attendance**

Under state law, full-time school attendance is required of all children from their 6th to their 17th birthday except:

A.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>A person who graduates from high school before their 17th birthday; unless the child has received a high school diploma or its equivalent.

B.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>A person who has:

1\. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Reached the age of 15 years or completed the 9th grade;

2\. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Permission to leave school from that person’s parent;

3\. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Been approved by the principal for a suitable program of work and study or training;<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>

4\. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Permission to leave school from the Board or its designee; and

5\. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>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. When the request to be excused from school has been denied pursuant to this paragraph, the student’s parent may appeal to the Commissioner; or

C.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>A person who has matriculated and is attending an accredited, post-secondary, degree-granting institution as a full-time student. An exception to the attendance in public school under this paragraph must be approved by the Commissioner.

D. A person who is enrolled in an online learning program or course.

**Attendance of Children Five Years of Age or Older and Under Six Years of Age<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>**

A child five years of age or older and under six years of age who is enrolled in and<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>who has not withdrawn from a public day school is required to attend that school during the time it is in session.

**Alternatives to Attendance at Public Day School**

A.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Equivalent instruction alternatives are as follows:

1\. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>A person shall be excused from attending a public day school if the person obtains equivalent instruction in:

a.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>A private school approved for attendance purposes pursuant to 20-A MRSA § 2901;

b.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>A private school recognized by the department as providing equivalent instruction;<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>

c.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>A home instruction program that complies with the requirements of 20-A MRSA § 5001-A(3)(A)(4); or

d. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Any other manner arranged for by the Board and approved by the Commissioner.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>

B.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>A person may be excused from attendance at a public day school pursuant to 20-A MRSA § 5104-A (other public or private alternative programs) or<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>§ 8605 (student attendance in adult education courses).<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>

**Credit for Attendance at a Private School**<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>

A student shall be credited with attendance at a private school only if a certificate showing the name, residence and attendance of the person at the school, signed by the person or persons in charge of the school, has been filed with the school officials of the administrative unit in which the student resides.

**Discontinuation of Home Instruction**<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>

If the home instruction program is discontinued, students of compulsory school age must be enrolled in a public school or an equivalent instruction alternative as provided for by law. The receiving school shall determine the placement of the student.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>At the secondary level, the principal of the receiving school shall determine the value of the prior educational experience toward meeting the standards of Maine’s system of Learning Results.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>

**Excusable Absence**

A person’s absence is excused when the absence is for the following reasons:

A. Personal health, including physical, mental and behavioral health;

B.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>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;<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>

D. A family emergency;

E. A planned absence for a personal or educational purpose that has been approved;

F. Education disruption resulting from homelessness, unplanned psychiatric hospitalization, unplanned hospitalization for a medical emergency, foster care placement, youth development placement or some other out-of-district placement that is not otherwise authorized by either any individual education plan or a superintendents’ student transfer agreement. “Education disruption” does not apply to a student who is out of school for 10 or more consecutive school days as a result of a planned absence for a reason such as a family event or a medical absence for planned hospitalization or recovery.

**Parental Responsibility**

Parents are responsible for the school attendance of students who are under 17 years of age. The school unit shall work with families in an effort to ensure compliance.

**Adult Students**

Secondary school students 20 years of age or more will only be admitted to the school unit with prior Board approval.

Legal Reference: 20-A MRSA § 5001-A; 5003; 5104-A; 5201; 8605  
 Me Dept of Educ Rule Ch. 125 and 127

Cross Reference: IHBG - Home School  
 JFC - Student Withdrawal from School/Dropout Prevention Committee.   
 JHB - Truancy

Policy Adopted: May 5, 2004

Policy Revised: April 16, 2008, October 16, 2019, January 18, 2023

Policy Reviewed: April 13, 2016