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Table 234.10. | Age range for compulsory school attendance and special education services, and policies on year-round schools and kindergarten programs, by state: Selected years, 2000 through 2014 |
State | Compulsory attendance | Compulsory special education services, 20041 |
Year-round schools, 2008 | Kindergarten programs, 2014 | ||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2000 | 2002 | 2004 | 2006 | 2008 | 2010 | 2014 | Has policy on year-round schools | Has districts with year-round schools |
School districts required to offer | Attend-ance required | ||||||||||||||
Program | Full-day program | |||||||||||||||||||||||
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | |||||||||||
Alabama | 7 to 16 | 7 to 16 | 7 to 16 | 2 | 7 to 16 | 7 to 16 | 7 to 17 | 6 to 17 | 3 | 6 to 21 | Yes | X | X | |||||||||||
Alaska | 7 to 16 | 7 to 16 | 7 to 16 | 2 | 7 to 16 | 7 to 16 | 7 to 16 | 7 to 16 | 2 | 3 to 22 | Yes | |||||||||||||
Arizona | 6 to 16 | 2 | 6 to 16 | 2 | 6 to 16 | 2 | 6 to 16 | 2 | 6 to 16 | 2 | 6 to 16 | 2 | 6 to 16 | 2 | 3 to 21 | — | — | X | ||||||
Arkansas | 5 to 17 | 2,3 | 5 to 17 | 2,3 | 5 to 17 | 2,3 | 5 to 17 | 2,3 | 5 to 17 | 2,3 | 5 to 17 | 2,3 | 5 to 18 | 5 to 21 | X | Yes | X | X | X | |||||
California | 6 to 18 | 2 | 6 to 18 | 6 to 18 | 6 to 18 | 6 to 18 | 6 to 18 | 6 to 18 | Birth to 21 | 4 | X | Yes | X | |||||||||||
Colorado | — | — | 7 to 16 | 7 to 16 | 6 to 17 | 6 to 17 | 6 to 17 | 3 to 21 | Yes | X | ||||||||||||||
Connecticut | 7 to 16 | 7 to 18 | 2 | 7 to 18 | 2 | 5 to 18 | 3 | 5 to 18 | 3 | 5 to 18 | 3 | 5 to 18 | 3 | 3 to 21 | — | X | X | |||||||
Delaware | 5 to 16 | 5 to 16 | 5 to 16 | 2 | 5 to 16 | 5 to 16 | 5 to 16 | 5 to 16 | Birth to 20 | Yes | X | X | X | |||||||||||
District of | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Columbia | — | 5 to 18 | 5 to 18 | 5 to 18 | 5 to 18 | 5 to 18 | 5 to 18 | — | — | — | X | X | X | |||||||||||
Florida | 6 to 16 | 5 | 6 to 16 | 5 | 6 to 16 | 5 | 6 to 16 | 5 | 6 to 16 | 5 | 6 to 16 | 5 | 6 to 16 | 3 to 21 | X | Yes | X | |||||||
Georgia | 6 to 16 | 6 to 16 | 6 to 16 | 6 to 16 | 6 to 16 | 6 to 16 | 6 to 16 | Birth to 21 | 6 | Yes | X | |||||||||||||
Hawaii | 6 to 18 | 6 to 18 | 6 to 18 | 6 to 18 | 6 to 18 | 6 to 18 | 5 to 18 | Birth to 19 | (7) | X | ||||||||||||||
Idaho | 7 to 16 | 7 to 16 | 7 to 16 | 7 to 16 | 7 to 16 | 7 to 16 | 7 to 16 | 3 to 21 | Yes | |||||||||||||||
Illinois | 7 to 16 | 7 to 16 | 7 to 17 | 7 to 17 | 7 to 17 | 7 to 17 | 6 to 17 | 3 to 21 | X | Yes | X | |||||||||||||
Indiana | 7 to 16 | 7 to 16 | 7 to 16 | 7 to 18 | 2 | 7 to 18 | 2 | 7 to 18 | 2 | 7 to 18 | 3 to 22 | Yes | X | |||||||||||
Iowa | 6 to 16 | 2 | 6 to 16 | 2 | 6 to 16 | 6 to 16 | 6 to 16 | 6 to 16 | 6 to 16 | 8 | Birth to 21 | X | Yes | X | ||||||||||
Kansas | 7 to 18 | 2 | 7 to 18 | 2 | 7 to 18 | 2 | 7 to 18 | 2 | 7 to 18 | 2 | 7 to 18 | 2 | 7 to 18 | 3 to 21 | 9 | — | X | |||||||
Kentucky | 6 to 16 | 6 to 16 | 6 to 16 | 2 | 6 to 16 | 6 to 16 | 6 to 16 | 6 to 18 | 10 | Birth to 21 | Yes | X | ||||||||||||
Louisiana | 7 to 17 | 7 to 17 | 7 to 17 | 2 | 7 to 18 | 2 | 7 to 18 | 2 | 7 to 18 | 2 | 7 to 18 | 3 to 21 | 11 | Yes | X | X | X | |||||||
Maine | 7 to 17 | 7 to 17 | 7 to 17 | 2 | 7 to 17 | 2 | 7 to 17 | 2 | 7 to 17 | 2 | 7 to 17 | 5 to 19 | 11,12 | — | X | |||||||||
Maryland | 5 to 16 | 5 to 16 | 5 to 16 | 5 to 16 | 5 to 16 | 5 to 16 | 3 | 5 to 17 | Birth to 21 | X | — | X | X | X | ||||||||||
Massachusetts | 6 to 16 | 6 to 16 | 6 to 16 | 6 to 16 | 2 | 6 to 16 | 2 | 6 to 16 | 2 | 6 to 16 | 3 to 21 | 6 | (13) | — | X | |||||||||
Michigan | 6 to 16 | 6 to 16 | 6 to 16 | 6 to 16 | 6 to 16 | 6 to 18 | 6 to 18 | Birth to 25 | X | Yes | X | |||||||||||||
Minnesota | 7 to 18 | 2 | 7 to 16 | 7 to 16 | 7 to 16 | 2 | 7 to 16 | 2 | 7 to 16 | 2 | 7 to 17 | Birth to 21 | X | Yes | X | |||||||||
Mississippi | 6 to 17 | 6 to 17 | 6 to 16 | 6 to 16 | 6 to 17 | 6 to 17 | 6 to 17 | Birth to 20 | — | X | X | |||||||||||||
Missouri | 7 to 16 | 7 to 16 | 7 to 16 | 7 to 16 | 7 to 16 | 7 to 17 | 7 to 17 | 2,3 | Birth to 20 | Yes | 14 | X | ||||||||||||
Montana | 7 to 16 | 2 | 7 to 16 | 2 | 7 to 16 | 2 | 7 to 16 | 2 | 7 to 16 | 2 | 7 to 16 | 2 | 7 to 16 | 2 | 3 to 18 | 11 | — | X | ||||||
Nebraska | 7 to 16 | 7 to 16 | 7 to 16 | 6 to 18 | 6 to 18 | 6 to 18 | 6 to 18 | Birth to 20 | Yes | X | ||||||||||||||
Nevada | 7 to 17 | 7 to 17 | 7 to 17 | 7 to 17 | 7 to 18 | 2 | 7 to 18 | 2 | 7 to 18 | Birth to 21 | 4 | Yes | X | (15) | X | |||||||||
New Hampshire | 6 to 16 | 6 to 16 | 6 to 16 | 6 to 16 | 6 to 16 | 6 to 18 | 6 to 18 | 3 to 21 | — | X | ||||||||||||||
New Jersey | 6 to 16 | 6 to 16 | 6 to 16 | 6 to 16 | 6 to 16 | 6 to 16 | 6 to 16 | 5 to 21 | — | (16) | ||||||||||||||
New Mexico | 5 to 18 | 5 to 18 | 5 to 18 | 2 | 5 to 18 | 2 | 5 to 18 | 2 | 5 to 18 | 2 | 5 to 18 | 3 to 21 | X | Yes | X | X | ||||||||
New York | 6 to 16 | 2 | 6 to 16 | 6 to 16 | 6 to 16 | 17 | 6 to 16 | 17 | 6 to 16 | 17 | 6 to 16 | 17 | Birth to 20 | — | ||||||||||
North Carolina | 7 to 16 | 7 to 16 | 7 to 16 | 7 to 16 | 7 to 16 | 7 to 16 | 7 to 16 | 5 to 20 | X | Yes | X | X | ||||||||||||
North Dakota | 7 to 16 | 7 to 16 | 7 to 16 | 7 to 16 | 7 to 16 | 7 to 16 | 7 to 16 | 3 to 21 | No | X | ||||||||||||||
Ohio | 6 to 18 | 6 to 18 | 6 to 18 | 6 to 18 | 6 to 18 | 6 to 18 | 6 to 18 | 3 to 21 | X | — | X | X | ||||||||||||
Oklahoma | 5 to 18 | 5 to 18 | 5 to 18 | 5 to 18 | 5 to 18 | 5 to 18 | 5 to 18 | Birth to 21 | 11 | Yes | X | X | X | |||||||||||
Oregon | 7 to 18 | 7 to 18 | 7 to 18 | 2 | 7 to 18 | 7 to 18 | 7 to 18 | 7 to 18 | 3 to 20 | Yes | X | |||||||||||||
Pennsylvania | 8 to 17 | 8 to 17 | 8 to 17 | 2 | 8 to 17 | 2 | 8 to 17 | 2 | 8 to 17 | 2 | 8 to 17 | 6 to 21 | X | 14 | — | 14 | ||||||||
Rhode Island | 6 to 16 | 6 to 16 | 6 to 16 | 6 to 16 | 6 to 16 | 6 to 16 | 6 to 18 | 2 | 3 to 21 | — | X | X | ||||||||||||
South Carolina | 5 to 16 | 5 to 16 | 5 to 16 | 5 to 17 | 3 | 5 to 17 | 3 | 5 to 17 | 3 | 5 to 17 | 3 to 21 | 18 | — | X | X | X | ||||||||
South Dakota | 6 to 16 | 6 to 16 | 6 to 16 | 6 to 16 | 6 to 16 | 6 to 18 | 2 | 6 to 18 | 2 | Birth to 21 | X | — | X | X | 19 | |||||||||
Tennessee | 6 to 17 | 6 to 17 | 6 to 17 | 6 to 17 | 3 | 6 to 17 | 3 | 6 to 17 | 3 | 6 to 18 | 3 to 21 | 4 | X | Yes | X | X | X | |||||||
Texas | 6 to 18 | 6 to 18 | 6 to 18 | 6 to 18 | 6 to 18 | 6 to 18 | 6 to 18 | 3 to 21 | X | Yes | X | |||||||||||||
Utah | 6 to 18 | 6 to 18 | 6 to 18 | 6 to 18 | 6 to 18 | 6 to 18 | 6 to 18 | 3 to 22 | Yes | X | ||||||||||||||
Vermont | 7 to 16 | 6 to 16 | 6 to 16 | 6 to 16 | 2 | 6 to 16 | 2 | 6 to 16 | 2 | 6 to 16 | 2 | 3 to 21 | — | 14 | X | |||||||||
Virginia | 5 to 18 | 5 to 18 | 5 to 18 | 5 to 18 | 2 | 5 to 18 | 2 | 5 to 18 | 2,3 | 5 to 18 | 2 to 21 | X | Yes | X | X | |||||||||
Washington | 8 to 17 | 2 | 8 to 17 | 2 | 8 to 16 | 2 | 8 to 18 | 8 to 18 | 8 to 18 | 8 to 18 | 3 to 21 | 18 | Yes | X | (20) | |||||||||
West Virginia | 6 to 16 | 6 to 16 | 6 to 16 | 6 to 16 | 6 to 16 | 6 to 17 | 6 to 17 | 5 to 21 | 21 | X | Yes | X | X | X | ||||||||||
Wisconsin | 6 to 18 | 6 to 18 | 6 to 18 | 6 to 18 | 6 to 18 | 6 to 18 | 6 to 18 | 3 to 21 | Yes | X | ||||||||||||||
Wyoming | 6 to 16 | 2 | 6 to 16 | 2 | 7 to 16 | 2 | 7 to 16 | 2 | 7 to 16 | 2 | 7 to 16 | 2 | 7 to 16 | 2 | 3 to 21 | — | X | (22) |
—Not available. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
X Denotes that the state has a policy. A blank denotes that the state does not have a policy. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
1 Most states have a provision whereby education is provided up to a certain age or completion of secondary school, whichever comes first. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
2 Child may be exempted from compulsory attendance if he/she meets state requirements for early withdrawal with or without meeting conditions for a diploma or equivalency. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
3 Parent/guardian may delay child's entry until a later age per state law/regulation. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
4 Student may continue in the program if 22nd birthday falls before the end of the school year. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
5 Attendance is compulsory until age 18 for Manatee County students, unless they earn a high school diploma prior to reaching their 18th birthday. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
6 Through age 21 or until child graduates with a high school or special education diploma or equivalent. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
7 Some schools operate on a multitrack system; the schools are open year-round, but different cohorts start and end at different times. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
8 Children enrolled in preschool programs (4 years old on or before September 15) are considered to be of compulsory school attendance age. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
9 To be determined by rules and regulations adopted by the state board. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
10 All districts have adopted a policy to raise the upper compulsory school age from 16 to 18. The policy will take effect for most districts in the 2015-16 school year. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
11 Children from birth through age 2 are eligible for additional services. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
12 Must be age 5 before October 15, and not age 20 before start of school year. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
13 Policies about year-round schools are decided locally. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
14 State did not participate in 2008 online survey. Data are from 2006. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
15 In certain school districts in Nevada, the lowest performing schools with the highest numbers of limited English proficient students will start offering full-day kindergarten programs. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
16 The Abbott District is required to offer full-day kindergarten. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
17 Local boards of education can require school attendance until age 17 unless employed. The boards of education of Syracuse, New York City, Rochester, Utica, and Buffalo are authorized to require kindergarten attendance at age 5 unless the parents elect not to enroll their child until the following September or the child is enrolled in non-public school or in home instruction. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
18 Student may complete school year if 21st birthday occurs while attending school. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
19 All children must attend kindergarten before age 7. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
20 Full-day kindergarten is being phased in beginning in the 2012-13 school year, starting with the highest poverty schools. Statewide implementation will be achieved by 2017-18. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
21 Children with severe disabilities may begin receiving services at age 3. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
22 Statute requires one full-day program per district. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
NOTE: The Education of the Handicapped Act (EHA) Amendments of 1986 make it mandatory for all states receiving EHA funds to serve all 3- to 18-year-old disabled children. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
SOURCE: Council of Chief State School Officers, Key State Education Policies on PK-12 Education, 2000, 2002, 2004, and 2008; Education Commission of the States (ECS), ECS StateNotes, Compulsory School Age Requirements, retrieved August 9, 2010, from http://www.ecs.org/clearinghouse/86/62/8662.pdf; ECS StateNotes, Special Education: State Special Education Definitions, Ages Served, retrieved August 9, 2010, from http://www.ecs.org/clearinghouse/52/29/5229.pdf; ECS StateNotes, Compulsory School Age Requirements, retrieved May 19, 2015, from http://www.ecs.org/clearinghouse/01/18/68/11868.pdf; ESC StateNotes, District Must Offer Kindergarten, retrieved April 18, 2014, from http://ecs.force.com/mbdata/mbquestRT?rep=Kq1416; ESC StateNotes, Child Must Attend Kindergarten, retrieved April 18, 2014, from http://ecs.force.com/mbdata/mbquestRT?rep=Kq1403; and supplemental information retrieved from various state websites. (This table was prepared May 2015.) |