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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
36 thru 40 of 40 comments
On 07/29/02
Kinney from TX said:
You kids need to relize that school is what is going to start your future. Without an education, you WILL be nobody! Even if you do have a job, as most of us did, you should not quit going to class. Do you want to work at McDonalds for the rest of your life? "The Children Are Our Future" and I only hope that you have the common sence to br just that.
On 03/31/02
Davey from PA said:
Going to school should be the choice of the student. I think if a student wants to pursue acting at the age of 6 and cant go to school because he will work on a soap opera thats his choice. If I didnt have ambitions to be a writer I probly wouldnt go to school
On 02/26/02
Casey from CA said:
Don't put other people down. Let them make their own choices.
On 02/22/02
Roy from AZ said:
In the state of Arizona, a child between 6 yrs. and 16 yrs. must attend a school. A person who is 14 yrs. or older may drop out of school with permission of parents/guardian if the person who is dropping out is empolyed
On 02/06/02
Sneed from FL said:
I think you should not drop out cause then u will never grow up to be anything. Just a low life looser!!!!
36 thru 40 of 40 comments


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