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Massachusetts Compulsory Education Laws
More Information on Compulsory Education Laws
| Code Section | 76 §1, et seq. |
| Age at Which School Attendance is Required | Established by Board of Education; pending such establishment :7 & 16 (St. 1965, c. 741); 7 minimum (Alvord v. Chester, 180 Mass. 20, 61 N.E. 263 (1901)); |
| Exceptions to Attendance Requirements | 14 to 16 years old, completed 6th grade, holds permit for employment in domestic service or farm, and is regularly employed there 6 hours per day minimum; 14 to 16 years old, meets requirements and has written permission of superintendent to engage in non-wage earning employment at home; physical/mental condition does not permit |
| Home School Provisions | Approval falls to superintendent or school committee; may review curriculum, method of evaluation, nature of textbooks and other factors (Care & Protection of Charles, 504 N.E. 2d 592 (1987)) |
| Penalties on Parents for Noncompliance | Up to $20 fine for any absence over 7 days (or 14 half-days) in a period of 6 months |
Note: State laws are constantly changing -- contact an attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state law(s) you are researching.
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