Maine Revised Statutes Title 20-A Sec. 3271 – Compulsory attendance at school
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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).]
Terms Used In Maine Revised Statutes Title 20-A Sec. 3271
- Alternative education program: means a program in which the primary purpose is to provide at-risk students with curricula and assessment in a setting designed to effectively meet the student's academic, social and relational needs. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 20-A Sec. 1
- Alternative learning: means an educational option that a public school or publicly supported program offers at-risk students by offering some combination of the following: alternative education programs; small class size; flexible scheduling; relevant alternative curricula and assessment; mentoring adults; skilled teachers; a focus on social, emotional and relationship skills; collaboration among home, school and social service agencies; and any other measures designed to accommodate the needs of at-risk students. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 20-A Sec. 1
- Approved private school: means a private school approved for attendance purposes under chapter 117. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 20-A Sec. 1
- Commissioner: means the Commissioner of Education or the commissioner's designee. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 20-A Sec. 1
- Parent: means a parent, guardian or legal guardian. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 20-A Sec. 1
- Principal: means the person who supervises the operation and management of a school and school property as determined necessary by the superintendent under policies established by the school board. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 20-A Sec. 1
- Secondary school: means that portion of a school that provides instruction in any combination of grades 9 through 12. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 20-A Sec. 1
- Unorganized territory: means territory not part of a municipality. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 20-A Sec. 3201
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 A person 5 years of age or older and under 6 years of age who is enrolled in and who has not withdrawn from a public day school is required to attend that school during the time it is in session.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).