Speak Up! - View Question #443

« LawForKids.org home page | « Go back to speak up question #443

Question: Can a 16 year old dropout?

Answer:

No. Arizona law (A.R.S. § 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 (A.R.S. § 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
11 thru 15 of 35 comments
On 09/09/05
s n from AZ said:
My daughter nikole is very alergic to mold she missed her 8th grade and had to be home schooled she graduated from 8th grade now in the same school she lasted 2 weeks before getting sick again the school blames us what are we to do when your child gets sick from the school she atends the school has had mold problems and now ignore it they are threatening us with jail and removing her from school. Its not Nikoles fault and she is missing out of the best part of growing up. My question would be, can i start a law suit against the school for making her so sick?
On 08/01/05
david from FL said:
can a 16 year old drop out of school
On 05/04/04
DJ from IL said:
I dropped out of school when i was 15 years old. I married when i was 16 years old. And am still married to the same guy and have 3 kids by now. Dropping out of school was a big mistake and getting married young was also. But you learn from your mistakes. For everyone who wants to drop out DON'T! It will haunt you for the rest of your life. And believe me it's hard to explain it to your kids and telling them WHY you dropped out in the first place. Don't make that mistake and drop out for stupid reasons. Stay in school and continue when your done with high school.
On 04/08/04
Mark Y..... from PA said:
Obviously, this letter is a fake, there is no one I know who knows how to use a computer that is so bad with grammar and spelling.
On 03/08/04
ASHLEY from DC said:
MY NAME IS ASHLEY(16)AND I'M ON THE ROAD TO BECOMEING A DROP OUT RIGHT NOW I'M NOT GOING TO SCHOOL YES I'M ENROLLED IN A SCHOOL BUT I'M NOT GOING.I'M GOING BACK TO SCHOOL BUT TO A DIFFRENT SCHOOL I'M GOING BACK BECAUSE MY FAMILY ACT LIKE THEY DON'T LOVE ME ANY MORE SO I'M GOING BACK. TO ALL DROP OUTS THERE IS A PLACE CALLED JOB CORPS WERE YOU CAN GET YOUR HIGH DIPLOMA OR GED AND YOU CAN LIVE THERE OR YOU CAN LIVE OFF CAMPUS YOU MUST BE THE AGES 16-24 TO GET IN. I THINK THAT'S WERE I'M GOING. THANKS FOR LETTING ME EXPRESS MY TRUE FELLING.
11 thru 15 of 35 comments



Read more about the law and School
Related Stories
Related Laws
« LawForKids.org home page | « Go back to speak up question #443