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Maine Revised Statutes Title 20-A. Education § 3271. Compulsory attendance at school

Current as of January 01, 2025 | Updated by Findlaw Staff

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.

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 A person 5 years of age or older and under 6 years of age who is enrolled in and who has not withdrawn from a public day school is required to attend that school during the time it is in session.

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.

B. The person obtains equivalent instruction through alternative learning or in any other manner arranged or approved by the commissioner.

C. Deleted. Laws 1989, c. 415, § 3.

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;

B. A person who has attained at least 15 years of age, 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;

C. A person who has been adjudged a truant and has been excused from attendance pursuant to procedures established by the commissioner; or

D. A person who has matriculated and is attending an accredited postsecondary degree-granting institution as a full-time student. An exception to attendance in public school under this paragraph must be approved by the commissioner.

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Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Maine Revised Statutes Title 20-A. Education § 3271. Compulsory attendance at school - last updated January 01, 2025 | https://codes.findlaw.com/me/title-20-a-education/me-rev-st-tit-20-a-sect-3271/

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