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Question: With my Mother's permission, I wanted to drop out of school, but they did not allow me to. I asked them to call my Mom and they said 'NO' go to class.

Answer: Arizona law (ARS 15-803) states that 'It is unlawful for any child between six and sixteen years of age to fail to attend school during the hours school is in session.' So, a kid must be over 16 years of age to legally drop out of school.

However, there are some exceptions to this rule (ARS 15-802). If a kids is 16 or under, he can legally not attend school only if he and his parents prove to the school's principal that:

1. The child is in such physical or mental condition that instruction is inexpedient or impracticable.

2. The child has completed high school studies necessary for completion of grade ten.

3. The child is over fourteen years of age and is, with the consent of the person who has custody of him, employed at some lawful wage earning occupation.

4. The child is enrolled in a work training, career education, vocational or manual training program which meets the approved standards

5. The child is either: (a) Suspended and not directed to participate in an alternative education program. (b) Expelled from a public school.

7. The child is enrolled in an education program provided by a state institution.

Special Thanks to the Arizona Department of Education for assistance answering this question.
Comments
21 thru 25 of 40 comments
On 04/19/04
Nicole from MI said:
can i drop out of school at 14 even though my birthday is in 2 months and a few weeks ?
On 04/12/04
kelly from WI said:
My daughter will be 17, we live in Madison Wisconsin, what age is it legal for a child to drop out? Kelly
On 03/18/04
cortney from CA said:
I would like to kow what age your able to drop out if you live in california
On 03/05/04
Iris from NY said:
I am a teen who drop out of school at 15 years old ,and now that I wanna go back there is nothing for me. Every program you have to be 16 for so now if i wanted to clean up my act there isn't anything for me ,and if there is I can't find the programs. School isn't for every one people lives involes different things leaving teens like me needing a different kind of help like more focus on certain things that regular shcool cant provide.Dont put a age limit just provide help maybe there is something diferent we as teens need from school.
On 03/05/04
kellicia from NY said:
I think that kids shouldn't drop out of highschool /school but if u have plans and really think that u can suceed,but confident then go ahead by all means do what u think...but just remeber that u don't want to regret it later in life.
21 thru 25 of 40 comments


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