(a)  Children who have not yet attained eighteen (18) years of age may not withdraw from school before graduation unless they have previously developed an alternative learning plan in accordance with § 16-19-1(b) and, after implementation of the plan:

(1)  The student, the student’s parent(s)/guardian, and an administrator agree to the withdrawal;

(2)  At the exit interview, the student and the student’s parent(s)/guardian provide written acknowledgement of the withdrawal that meets the requirements of subsection (a)(4)(iv) of this section;

(3)  The school principal provides written consent for the student to withdraw from school; and/or

(4)  The withdrawal is:

(i)  Due to documented financial hardship and the need of the individual to be employed to support the individual’s family or a dependent;

(ii)  Due to documented illness;

(iii)  By order of a court that has jurisdiction over the student; or

(iv)  Accompanied by a written acknowledgement of a withdrawal under subsection (a)(2) of this section which must include a statement that the student and the student’s parent(s)/guardian understand that withdrawal from school is likely to reduce the student’s future earnings and increase the student’s likelihood of being unemployed in the future.

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Terms Used In Rhode Island General Laws 16-67.1-3

  • Dependent: A person dependent for support upon another.
  • Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.

(b)  If a child of the age described in subsection (a) is habitually absent from school and the school is unable to contact the parent(s)/guardian, the school may withdraw the child from enrollment provided that its attempts to contact the parent(s)/guardian by telephone, regular and registered mail, and home visit are documented. If a child who has been withdrawn from enrollment under this subsection returns to school, or if the school mistakenly withdraws the child from enrollment, the child shall immediately be re-enrolled.

(c)  An extended withdrawal pursuant to § 16-19-1 may be authorized that is not intended to be a permanent withdrawal but which is extended because of unique difficulties and interruptions that many students are experiencing because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

History of Section.
P.L. 2007, ch. 226, § 1; P.L. 2008, ch. 475, § 17; P.L. 2011, ch. 338, § 2; P.L. 2011, ch. 376, § 2; P.L. 2022, ch. 389, § 2, effective June 30, 2022; P.L. 2022, ch. 390, § 2, effective June 30, 2022.