UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Harold L. Ickea, Secretary OFFICE OF EDUCATION J. W. SnTDBBa^n, Commi$»ioner COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE LAWS AND THEIR ADMINISTRATION By WALTER S. DEFFENBAUGH Chief, Division of American School Systems and WARD W. KEESECKER Specialist in School Legislation BULLETIN, 1935, No. 4 UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE WASHINGTON : IMS o ERIC For Mie by tba S ap a ria taDdent of DooutDaoU, WMhingtoo, D. C • • Pirioe !• oaota T CONTENTS Foreword.. •_ . Purpose j The, Problem op School Attendance { Magnitude of nouattendance. i Causes of absences from school ^ • 4 Effects of absence from school ^ 5 Development of compulsory school attendance laws © Improvement in school attendance g School Attendance Reqcireiients jj Compulsory attendance ages i H Amount of attendance required I4 Number of years. 24 Amount of attendance required each year 14 Exemptions 25 Minimum amount of education 26 Work permits 26 Attendance at private or parochial schools ij Distance from edhool... ’27 Church observance.. 29 Children of indigent parents .' 29 Indefinite exemptions 21 Provisions for administration 22 The school c^ensu ^,, 22 Function . . _ 1 22 Census ages and other data 26 Census enumerators 29 , Attendance ofiBcers--..! ^ 32 Selection and qiiAlmcation 32 'Improvement in service 39 Number ' 4Q Salaries and cost of attendance service 41' Reporting truancy 43 When truancy must cease .: 44 Penalties for nonenforcement. 45 Courts of jurisdiction 47 Organisation for attendance service. 43 State supervision of school attendance fii Alabama J 62 Connecticut J 62 m ERIC .It A. IV CONTENTS J I f. \ School Attendance Requirements — C ontinued. • Provisions for administration — Continued. State supervision of school attendance — Continued. Pag# Indiana 53 New York 54 Pennsylvania 56 r Summary and implications of .compulsory school attendance laws 57 Compulsory School Attendance Provisions bt States 65 Alabama ■ 65 Arizona J..\ j 66 Arkansas 67 California * 67 Colorado 68 Connecticut 69 Delaware 69 Distribt of Columbia 70 Florida 70 Georgia.. 71 Idaho ’. 72 Illinois 72 Indiana 73 Iowa 74 Kansas 74 Kentucky 76 Louisiana 75 Maine — 1 76 Maryland 70 Mdssachusetts 77 Michigan 78 Minnesota 79 Mississippi 79 Missouri 80 Montana 80 Nebraska... 81 Nevada 82 New Hampshire 83 New Jersey 83 New Mexico 84 New York 84 North Carolina *. 86 North Dakota.i 86 Ohio I 86 Oklahoma... .L .“r ^6 Oregon 87 • Pennsylvania 88 Rh^e Island ^ 89 SoQn Carolina 89 * South Dakota 90 CONTENTS ’ V * Compulsory School Attendance pRovisioNs by States — Continued. ^ Page Tennessee - 90 Texas.- • 91 Utah 1 91 Vermont 92 Virginia 93 Washington 93 West Virginia . -1 94 Wisconsin 95 Wyoming 96 FOREWORD Since 1918 l$i^s reqiliring school attendance have existed in all States of the Union. These laws had their conception in the faith that education is essential to the perpetuity of popular govenuhent and soh4>. ■ * 6. D^pMtniant 61 T A Uaitor't Tbooli, Unlvmttr of Bonthoni Oolikniio, Loo ti^eloi, UN. ^ ■ • Ooopm, Homu, An AoooanUai at r tatnm oad AUMdoan at Bmai Seliool OUldna Jo Datewm, TMotm C^oOisi, Ootaimblo UnlT«itr. OaotriboUQiio to Bd«aotioo, no. iSi, • P.M. C0MFCJL80RY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE LAWS 7 • and the population began to concentcate in villages ^and cities, it was found that children could do much of the work in factories and that they were taken awky from school for that purpose. In order to remedy this condition, a “factory law ** was enacted in 1842, but it was practically a dead letter, at least in its relation to school attendance. So great had the evils of nonattendance and truancy become that Horace ^ • Mann gave especial attention to it in his reports, and by 1850 public sentiment had becqme sufficiently aroused to pass a truancy law. A compulsory attendance act followed in 1852, and that was amended in 1859 to read as foUows: Sbctiok 1 , Every persc^ having under hia control a child between the ages of 8 and 14 years shall annually during the continuance of his control send such child to some public school in the city or town in which he resides at least 12 weeks, if the public schools of such city or town so long continue, 6 weeks of which thne shall be consecutive, and for every neglect of such duty the party offending shall forfeit to the use such city or town a sum not exceeding $20; but if it appears upon the inquiry of the truant officer or school committee of any city or town, or upon the trial of any prosecution, that the party so neglecting was not able, by reason of poverty to send such child to school, or to furnish him with the means of education, or that such child has been otherwise furnished with the means of education for a like period of time, or has already acquired the branches of learning taught in the public schodls, or that hia bodily or mental condition has been such as to prevent his attendance at school or application to study for the p>eriod required, the penalty before mentioned shall not be incurred. Section 2. The truant officers and the school committee of the several cities and- towns shall inquire into cases of neglect of the duty prescribed in the preceding sectio^and ascertain from the persons ... Delecting the reasons, if any, therefor; and shall forthwith give notice of all violations, with f&e reasons, to the treasurer of the city or town, and if such treasurer willfully neglects or refuses to prosecute any person liable to the penalty provided for in the preceding section he shall forfeit the sum of $20.' The failure^ of these early laws to secure attendance was apparent, and Superintendent White took up the subject in 1870, saying: ^ I am fully convinced, after many years of observation and inquiry, that the eeveral enactments relating to this matter (absenteeism) am ill-adapted to their purpose, discordant, and incapable of execution, and therefore need a careful and thorough revision, to which ample time and thought should be given. 1 therefore respectfully recommend that * — — — s r f lUtxirl of tbo Unltod BMm OommlffloiMr of Bdnostion, 188B-60, p. 472* • IbkLe pp. 47»^74. 8 . COMPUlfiORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE LAWS • the present legislature be requested to pass a resolve directing the board of education or such other*competent body as may be deemed proper to take into consideration all existing laws relating to school attendance, truancy, absenteeism, and the employmeni of children in manufactur- ing establishments, and inquire what alterations and amendments are needed to cqjrfbine ^id enactments into a uniform, consistent, and efficient code adapted to the present view^^and wants of the public. By 1890 the law had been so amended that it was well ehforced, according to Supt. J. W. Dickinson, w’ho* at that time reported to the United States Bureau of Education that “the coihpulsory law operates well and is generally obeyed.”® The obedience which seemed to satisfy Mr. Dickinson would , probably fail to meet the approval of the officers oT the present day; but constant improvement has been made since then both in the laws and in the method of their enforcement. The ne.vt State to enact an attendance law was Vermont (1867). The District of Columbia, however, enacted such a law in 1864. By 1900, 32 States and the District of Colum- bia had enacted compulsory school attendance laws. From 1900 to 1910, 10 more States fell into line, and by 1918 every State in the Union had an attendance law. The following shows the date of the enactment of such laws in each of the States: A Massachnaetta 1852 Rhode Island 1883 Iowa. 1902 District of Colom- Illinois 1883 Maryland-. 1902 bia 1864 North Dakota 1883 Mlaaniiri ^ 1905 Vannont 1867 Booth Dakota 1883 Tennessee 1905 Naw Hampahira.. 1871 Montana 1883 Delaware 1907 Michifan 1871 Mlnnasota 1885 North Carolina 1907 Waahiofftoo 1871 Nebraska 1887 a w wa a*aa v/ caa \J ii iiaa « • Oklahoma 1907 Connacticut 1872 Idaho 1887 Virginia. 1908 Nevada 1873 Colorado 1889 Arkansas 1909 New York 1874 Oregon 1889 T.^inijiiana 1910 Kanfiaa 1874 Utah 1890 AInhAma 1915 California 1874 Naw Mexico 1891 Florida 1915 Maine 1875 Pannaylvanla 1896 Sonth Carolina lOia Naw Jemy 1875 Kentucky 1896 Taxaa i.. IVIO 1915 Wyoming 1876 West Virginia 1897 1916 Ohio 1877 Indiana 1897 1918 Wisconsin 1879 Aiiiona 1899 - - - - 1 Th6 Teiat law of 1873 cstablUbing a fnt publicvtobool lyitam oontainad a oompulaory school attaodaoca provision. This law was somawbat InaflhoUva and onaatisl^ctory at that Uma and waa suparaadad by otbar lagUlation in 1878 which omlttad tha oompulaory achool attandanoa provi^on. Although every State in the Union has enacted a com- • pulsory attendance law, each State had to overQonie much opposition on the part of those who considered such a law un-American in principle, in that its provinon interferes with • niid..p.4M. COMPULfiORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE LAWS 9 the personal liberty of the parents. In 1891 and in 1893 Governor Patterson, of Pennsylvania, vetoed compulsory edu- cation bills on these general grounds. In 1895 when Governor Hastings s^ed a similar bill, he did so only because ho did not wish to obtrude Ifis judgment in the matter, which was against the bill. •' In 1872 when Connecticut was considering the enactment of a compulsory school attendance law, some of the arguments against its enactment that the secretary of the State board of education disc 4 ssed in his annual report, were; (1 ) A new crime is created; (2) it interferes with the liberty of parents', (3) new powers are abrogated by the Government; (4) it is un-American and not adapted to our free institutions; (5) compulsory education is monarchical in its origin and > history; (6) attendance is just as great without the law. In practically every State, such contentions had to be met when bills providing for compulsory school attendance were introduced in the State legislature. As might be expected, the constitutionality of compulsory school attendance laws was a question that found its way into the courts. Decisions on the constitutionality of such legislation have been rendered in at least four States — Indiana, New Hampshire, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. In'each instance the courts affirmed the constitutionality of the attendance law. In none of these cases was the question of attendance at private* or parochial schools involved since attendance at such schools was permitted. ' ' * Court decisions on numerous other aspects of the attend- ance laws have been rendered'*® and theiprinciple that the State may require children to attend some school has been firmly established. IMPROVEMENT IN SCHOOL ATTENDANCE Although the ideal of having every child of elementary and secondary school age, and especially all children from 7 to 16 years of age, attend school has not been realized, the - percentage of such children enrolled in school has been I* Beadar, John Fndcrtek, Uw Function o( tba Court! In Solbrolni School Attondino» Loin. Now York, BotMO ol Publlations, Tawshm CoUete, Colombia Univanitr, 1U7. 1 10 COMPUMORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE LAWS ERIC steadily increasing and attendance on the part o| those enrolled has greatly improved. The following shows by age groups for the entire country the percent of children attend- ing school in 1910 and in 1930: Ages 1910 1930 5 17.0 20.0 6 53L1 ffff.3 7 to 13 8ff.l 95.3 14 ADd 15 73l0 88.8 Iff and 17 43. 1 57.3 18 to 30 15.2 21.4 j No data are available to show by ages the increase in regularity of attendance on the part of the children enrolled, but the percent of public-school children enrolled, attending each day, increased from 72.1 in 1910 to 82.8 in 1930 and to 84.7 percent in 1932. The increase in the percentage of children attending school and the percentage of increase in average daily attendance are due to several causes. The compulsory school attend- ance laws have become more effective not only by causing more children to enroll in ‘school, but by causing better attendance on the part of those enrolled. Many of the com- pulsory attendance laws have been strengthened by requir- ing attendance for the full length of the school term, the compulsory attendance age span has been increased in many * States, and fewer exemptions are allowed, thus tending to keep more children in school. Better school attendance cannot, howevei^^ attributed entirely to improved attendance laws and improved at- tendance service. As may^ be noted in the forgoing data, attendanceof children below and above ^e usual compulsory ^ attendance age has greatly increased. The percent of chil- dren 6 years of age attending school increased from 62.1 in 191.0 to 66.3 in 1930, and the percent of children 16 and 17 years of age attending school increased from 43.1 inVolO to 57.3 in 1930. Bvidently the compulsory attendance laws were not responsible, at least not directly, for the increased attendance at these ag^. Other fctctors have been at woric. Teachers aietnow better ' trained than formerly and know better how to. appeal to the interests of children, thus making s<4iool a more desirable iiu I M ifS I ' if-1 ■■ t# COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE LAWS 11 place than it was 20 years ^o. Course of study have been improved more nearly to meet the needs of individual pupils, thus helping to hold children in school. Transportation of pupils has also contributed to better school attendance. In many commumties children who live some distance from school are transported and need no longer remain at home on account of inclement weather. Improved health con^- ' tions may be mentioned, as another factor. On the whole ^ the increa^d interest of the public in general in education may be regarded as the predominant cause of^better school attendance. SCHOOL ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS COMPULSORY ATTENDANCE AGES In only 2 States is the minimum compulsory school attend- ance age placed at 6 years. These States are New Mexico and Ohio. The minimum compulsory attendance age in 30 States is 7 years, and in 16 States it is 8 years. Of the 42 States that had compulsory attendance laws in 1914, none had a minim u m age of 6 j^ears, 16 had a minimum age of 7 years, 25 a m ini mum age of 8 years, and 1 had a minimum age of 9 years. The maximum compulsory attendance age in 1934 was less than 16 years in only 6 States, 16 years in 31 States, 17 in 6 States, and 18 in 6 States. In 1914, 22 of the 42 States' having compulsory attendance laws placed the maximum compulsory attendance age at less than 16 years; 19 at 16 years; and only 1 at 18 years. The following shows for 1914 and 1934 the minimum and maximum compulsory attend- ance ages for full-time schools and the number of States having each of the ages indicated: Mill imam oompulsory nttaodanae ife m Number of SUtMl Maximum oompuUory atteodanoe age Number of Btates * 1914 1064 1014 1034 1 s 3 » 1 8 3 0 0 10 16 1 j 1 10 10 0 13 3 10 0 10 0 1 0 6 1 81 0 0 . 7 14 g. 15 10 17 10 *6 Btalwdid POlhafiixmpulioryicfaooiattendMiotliwi in 1014, 12 COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE LAWS The compulsory attendance ages for both full-time and continuation schools and the work-permit ages are shown in table 2. Table 2. — Compulsory school allendance and work-permit ages 1 State Compulsory attendance ages Work- permit ages FulU time school > Part-time continuation 1 2 3 4 / Alabama 7-10 14-17 ArisM^ 8-16 14 10 16 14-16 7-16 14-16 Callforni^... 8-f6 Under 18 14-16 Colorado-\ 8-16 14-16 . Connecticut 7-16 14 to 16 ... - 14-16 Delaware.' - - 7-17 12 to 16 - 1^16 Florida 7-16 14 to 16 1^16 Georgia 8-14 14 Idaho 8-18 14-16 Dlinols 7-16 14 to 18 14-16 Indiana - 7-16 do - 1^16 Iowa ? 7-16 14 to 16 1^16 7-16 14-16 Kentucky : 7-16 U to 16 14-16 Louisiana 7-14 ri4 to 16, box's \Utol8, girls } 14-16 Maine. « - — . 7-17 15 Maryland 7-16 14-16 Massachusetts 7-16 14 to 16 1^16 Michigan 7-16 Under 17 15-16 Minnesota.. 8-16 14-16 Mississippi 7-17 14-16 Missouri. - 7-16 Under 18 . . 14-16 Montana 8-16 14-16 Nebraska 7-16 14 to 16 14-16 Nevada 7-18 14 to 18 14-18 New Hampshire.-*- 8-16 1M6 New Jersey 7-16 14 to 16 14-16 New Mexico 8-16 do - - 14-16 New York 7-18 14 to 17 14-17 North Carolina.- 7-14 14-15 North Dakota 7-17 1^16 Ohio - 8-18 15 to 18 16-18 Oklahoma 8-18 do - 16-18 7-16 do-- 14-18 Pennsylvania 8-18 14 to 16 14-16 Rhode Island 7-18 15-16 South Carolina 8-14 14 South Dakota 8-17 14-16 Tennessee - 7-16 14 to 16 14-16 Texas.. >8-14 % « 12-14 Utah 8-18 Un^ 18 14-18 Vermont 8-16 14-16 Virginia 7-15 14-16 Washington 8-18 i4 to\i 14-16 West Virginia 7M8 14 to 16 14-16 Wisconsin 7-16 do - '. 14-17 Wyoming 7-17 14-16 0 ' ’ • . I For exemptions, we pp. 15-22. * 7-16, indosiye, sfter Msj 6» VM, ERIC COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE LAWB T3 Table 3 . — Amount of attendance required and the minimum legal school term, by States 8Ut« AtteDdaooe required 0 Alabama Full term Ariiona Arkansas 100 days.. Califomia Full term.. a Colorado... 1 Connecticut Delaware Florida Oeo^a 6 months . Idaho Full term.. Illinois Indiana Iowa - 24 consecutive weeks s Kansas Full term. Eenlycky Louisiana 140 days... Maine Full term.. Maryland Massachusetts Michigan M4nnesota Mississippi 80 days... .. Missouri Full term.. Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey Now Mexico New York North Carolina do North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Two-thirds of term Oregon Full term.. . Pennsylvania.. Rhode Island South Carolina 80 days* .. South Dakota Full term Tennessee do Texas 100 days ^ Utah 20 weeks* Vermont Full term Virginia Washington do West Virginia do Wisconsin do.. Wyoming do Lejral mini- mum school term in months (0 8 6 8H e 9 8 8 6 7 8 6 8 8 7 8 7 7 4 8 *9 «9 6 9 9 7 9H 8 7 8 3 8 8 9 7 8 8 6 6 SH 8 •a 9 8 a > Not fixed by law. s Board may require fiiU term. s 4 montha ui imrd-clan districts. * ^ In metropoHtan dty. • 0 months, districts with fewer than 10 pupils, a District may requlTB full term. ^ f The 19S6 lemlatuie requiied attendance from 7 to la, IncluslTe, aod required attendance for lao days, raeotive May a, 1935. > 30 weeks in first- and second-class dbtricts. 1 8 months in first-class districts. 14 COMPULBOBT SCHOOL ATTENDANCE LAWS AMOUNT OF ATTENDANCE REQUIRED NUMBER OF YEARS • ‘ >•* The number of years of school attendance required^ries from 6 years in Georgia, South Carolina, and Texas to 12 years in Ohio, The usual number of years’ attendance required is 9; 10 States require 8 years, and 22 require 9 years. (Texas required 9 years'after May 6, 1935.) The tendency has been to increase the nunaber of years of required attendance. Of the States that had compulsory attendance laws in 1914, 7 required children to atteno^hool for 9 years. In 1914, 16 Slates required attendance foi^less than 8 years and 6 had no attendance laws; in 1934, o^y 5 States required less than 8 years. The following sho^^s for 1914 and 1934 the number of years’ attendance required and the number of States requiring the years specified ; Number of years' attend- ance re- quired Number of States 1914 1934 0 6 . 0 4 3 0 5 1 ^ 0 0 4 3 7 9" 2 8 18 10 0 7 22 10 1 9 11 0 1 12 0 1 AMOUNT OF ATTENDANCE REQUIRED EACH YEAR One-of the defects in many 'of the eariy compulsory school attendance laws was that they did not prescribe a definite time for attending school each year, but instead specified a certain proportion of the time, or a certain number of days, or a .certain number of consecutivfljweeks without stating when the period was to begin. This led to confusion, and it was often difficult to detenuhe when a child had attended^ the prescribed time. Most States, howeyer, now require attendance for the full period school is in session in the district, which in some districts exceeds the minimum term prescribed by law. » The amount of attendance required and the legal minimum school term are shown in table 3. • COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE LAWS 15 , EXEMPTIONS' Every compulsory attendance law provides for exemptions within the compulsory alge limits on several conditions. The principal ones' are: A miniipum amount of education, as the completion of certain grades; distance from school; depend- ent children; physical or mental incapacity; attendance at private or denominational schools; and work permit in cer- tain conditions. ^ MINIMUM AMOUNT OF EDUCATION In. most of the States the educational requirement for e.x- emption is the completion of the elementary school couree. Eight States have, however, made the twelfth grade the standard for educational exemption. Some States pro\dde thaf a child may be e.xcused from school attendance only after reaching a certain age and provided he completes cer- tain grades. Table 4 shows the provisions of educational exemptions in each of the States from full-time attendance: Table 4. — Minimum education require^i^n/ State latcs State Alabama. Ailiona. Arkaoaae...A:' Cattfornla. Colorado. Conoactloot. Dtlawara Florida Oaorila^ Idaho nUDoii... lodlana.. Iowa. g«tocky. Malaa- M^laxki Maichimrti. For ex^ption from 8cbo<^ attend- anoe on account of education ac- quired (cradeacompleted) > 8th grade, if U yean of age. 8th grade. do lath grade. 8th grade. If 14 yean of age. 8th grade, if 14 yean of age. 8th grade. 7th gradiL 8th grade, If 15 yiert of age. 8th ....do mh grade.. 'Klmantary ooumofftody 8th grade, ifl6 yean of a^i. Tthcpi^ if 14 yiM of and am- 8tbgrade, If 14 yian of lOT aod tn^ ployed. For labor permits to mlnoni within compulsory school at- tendance ages (grades com- pleted)! 8th grade. If 14 yean of age. 5th grada 4thgrada 8th grada If 14 yean of age; or 7th. grade, If 15 years old. ^ Read and write. 6lh grada 8th grada ^ Read and writa Read and wr^ simple sentenoea Literacy and some Vnowiedge of geog r a p hy and arithmetk. 8th ga^ Othgrada 8th grada 8th grada If 14 years or age; or 7th irada, if 15 yean ofaga 6Ch gTMla, or 8 yean' school at- ^dapoe (Orleans Parish). 8th grada 7th giada(5th grada in Baltiniara)^ 5th I Rlaolt spaces indicata no admatlooal rsqoIrsnMDt ootad. 16 COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDA.WCE LAWS / Table 4. — Minimum education required by Side laws — Continued State For exemption from school attend- ance on account of edMcation ac- quired (grades completed) 1 Vor labor permits to minors within compulsory school at- tendance ages (grades com- pleted) 1 ‘ 1 3 Michigan 8th grade andemployed In nonhigh- school districts; must be 16 in high- 1 school districts. ! 6th grade. Minnesota M ay be excused upon completion of 8th grade. 8th grade. Mississippi Common school course of study ! 1 ^ Mootaoa.. Nebraska. 8th grade, if 14 years ofage. 12th grade in bigh'SChool districts; otherwise graduation from school maintained. Nevada New Hampshire.. New Jersey New Mexici^ New York North CarollnA... North Dakota Ohio.. Oklahoma Oregon e Pennsylvania \ Rhode Island \ South Carolina ' \ South Dakota ! 1 Tennessee. Vexas 12th grade 8tb grade, If U years of age and legaUy employed. 12 th grade.x 8th gr^e^0^^ 12th grade 1 8th grade^ if IQ years of age and em- ployed. 8th grade, 14 years of age and em> ployed. 6th grade, if 14 years of age and em- ployed. 6th grade. 8tb grade. I 8tb grade, or litera(^ in English.* Elementary school ooursa^/ Literacy in English. 8th grade. If 14 years old; or 6th grade, if 15 years oldl 8th grade, if 14; 6th grade, if 15. 8tb grade, or school attendance for 9 year\ 7th grade. Read and write simple senteDces in EnglUh. 8lh grade, if under 16 years of age. 8th ‘grade. do Utah Vennont Virginia ^'ashlngtoQ. West Virginia. Wlsooualn Wyoming 7th grade, if 12 and if services neces- sary for support. 12th grade 8ih grade 7th grade, if employed 8th grade 8th grade, unleas high school within 2 milM from rwldenoe. Completion of most sdvanciiAooiiirse in district, if 14 years of age. 8th grade 6th grade. 8th grade. Read*and write simple sentences in English. 5th grade. None mentioned. 8th gmde. 8th tnds. If 14 years old. 6th grade. Completion of most advanoed course in district. 8th grade. * Plus attendance at evening or oontinuation school. WORK PERMITS In ©very State children between certain age^ u^aUy 14 to 16 (table 2), ma^ be excused from itttending school if legally employed, but generally on condition that certain educational requirements have been met. Of the 48 States, I COBiIPULSORT SCHOOL ATTENDANCE LAWS 17 \ 21 require th^ completion of the eighth grade; 3, the seventh grade; 9, the sLxth grade; 1 requires the completion of the fifth grade; 1 requires the completion of the fourth grade; 7 require the ability to read and \mte; and in 6 States no provision is stated. The educational requirements for work permits are given by States in table 4. ATTENDANCE AT PRIVATE OR PAROCHIAL SCHOOLS The compulsory school attendance laws of each of ^he States express or imply that children may attend private or parochial schools instead <^f pi^blic schools. Some of the State laws,, however, contiun the proviso that such schools must be approved by the appropriate public-school officials. ♦ That children may attend other than public schools is a well-established principle and one that has been upheld by the courts. For example, there arose in th© State of Oregon a case from a law passed in November 1922, by the voters of Oregon under the initiative provision of tht-«constitution of that State.- Thia law required that all children between 8 and 16 years of age should attend public schools. This act was, therefore, in effect a prohibition of patronage to private • schools^llichildren within said ages. This law was to become ^ effective September 1 , 1926. On March 3 1 , 1924, the Federal ^ district court of the District of Oregon issued an injunction (296 Fed. Rep. 928) restricting the State of Oregon from enforcmg the act upon the ground that it was unconstitutional. The issuance of this injunction was approved by the United States Supreme Court on June 1, 1925 (268 U. S. 571). 1 Hence the Oregon law was never put into operation, as it ^ titutional b^re the date it was to become effective. This de^on plainly establishes the principle that children of compul^ry school age may attend private schools. DISTANCE FROM SCHOOL The attendance laws of 22 States provide for exemption on account of distance from school. Eighteen of these States exempt children living beyond certain specified distances and 4 Sta,^ provide that the school authorities may excusei 18 COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE LAWS children on abcount of xlistance. The distance specified in miles in the 18 States are: Oregon and Virginia m California, Florida (2 for children 7 to 9 years of age; 3 for children 10 to 16), Iowa, Gwrgia, Pennsylvania, Sooth Carolina (2 for children under 12 years of age; 254 for others). West Virginia, Wisconsin 2 Alabama, Michigan, Mississippi, Texas, Utah 2H New Mexico and Tennessee 3 North Dakota g These distances do no^ apply if free transportation is provided. The 4 States in wMch the school authorities may excuse children from attending school on account of distance are Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, and North Carolina. It is obvious that the school attendance laws in the States exempting chilc^en living beyond a specified distance from school make it possible for many chil^en to be excused, since transportation is seldom provided for children attending one- room schools. / Distance being a factor influencing school attendance, it /would seem that in order to improve School attendance in/ rural communities transportation should be provided for /children living beyond a specified distance, paumnitz reports “ that nontransported children living within a mil^ of their schools attend more days per year and more of them attend more regularly than do child ran living between 1 and 2 miles or 2 and 3 miles. He also shows that when rural children are transported to their school at public expense they make a much better attendance record than when no transportation is furnished. Reavis found ** that, in the absence of transportation, distance is the strongest single factor influencing the attend- ance of country children, and that children living more than 2 miles from school attend only half as many days as children living within a quarter of a mile of school. What distance should children live from school before transportation is provided? is a question not easy to answer. Climate, condition of roads, age of children, and other factors >1 Oamnnltt* W. H., AFallAbQUjof PobUo-dohool Edciottloiii& Bortl CominiinltiM U. B. OlBoe of Bduoation, buUotlnr 1030 , oo. 84 , pp. 28 , 30 . ** H., Footofi OootroUlog School Attcodoiiooiii Rural Bohooli. Now York ^Tracbere College, ColumbU Uniraciily, 1030 , CoptributioDf to Sdimtloo No. 1QB» pp. 13-11 dOMPULSORT SCHOOL ATTENDANCE LAWS 19 should be considered, but, in general, the distance should not be so great as to cause children to attend school irregularly. Reavis', in bis study, concludes : If all children living beyond s given distance are to be transported, that distance should be one-fourth of a mile rather than a mile or more. In the absence of some means of conveyance, country children living beyond a quarter of a mile from school do not have equal educational opportunity with those living near school. Whatever the walking distance decided upon by legislation or school administrators, those children living beyond this distance should not be excused from attending school, hut should be transported at public expense. CHURCH OBSERVANCE Eight States {>rovide by legislation exemption from school attendance in order to attend confirmation classes or other church observance. These States are Illinois, Iowa, Michi- gan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, and West Virginia. This provision is usually subject to certain limitation. For example, in Illinois and Michigan, exemp- tions for church observance are limited to children between 12 and 14 years of age; in Minnesota, a child may be ex- empted for not more than 3 hours a week, ^d in Oregon, for not more than 2 hours a week in order to receive religious instruction. ■# - i CHILDREN OF INDIGENT PAREHNlS %■ * ^^ether children should be excused from school attendance because of poverty is a question that legislatore in enacting compulsory attendance laws must face. Nineteen of the States have under certain conditions provided for exemption from schdol attendance for poverty reasonff, but these exemp- tions do not as a rule apply where toaocial relief to enable them to attend school is publicly or privately granted. These Stat^ are Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Idaho, . Louisiana, Michigan, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Washington, and West Virginia. In Colo- ' rado, Michigan, Montana, and Nevada a child must be 14 years of age t o be excused on account of poverty of parents; wibkL • \ 20 coMPTJifiORT SCHOOL ai;tendance laws in Idaho and Washington, 15; in Vermont, 15 and completion of rural school course; in South Carolina, 12 years of age; in Texas, the completion of the seventh grade is required. It is noted flhat 33 States have mandatory laws which provide under certain conditions relief for dependent or neglected children. These States are: Alabama Maryland North Dakota Arkansas Massachusetts Ohio California Minnesota Oklahoma Colorado Mississippi Pennsylvania Floridar Missouri Rhode Island Georgia Montana South Carolina Illinois Nevada South Dakota Indiana New Hampshire Tennessee Iowa New Jersey Texas Kansas New York Vermont Kentucky North Carolina Virginia Fourteen States have laws of a pe^ssive type which authorize public educational rehef for dependent or neglected children. They are: Arizona Connecticut Delaware Idaho Louisiana Maine Michigan Nebraska New Mexico Oregon Utah Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Since such laws usually make provision only for the fur- nishing of clothing or textbooks, the children of indigent par- ents may still be unable to attend school. If parents of children of compulsoiy school age need assistance it would seena that it is not the duty of the chijdren, but of the State to give such assistance. It is just as necessary for children in poverty to attend school as for children of wealth. An aigument that might be offered for public relief of indigent parents who need the support of their children of school age is that the benefit arismg from the labor of children of com- ' pulsory school ages is short-lived, since their earning capacity is smedl, and if they are allowed to work during thsir immature years their opportunities for earning will as a rule be limited; and in view of the fact that there is little opportunity for chil^n under 16 years of age to obtain employment, it is obvious that they cannot do much to help earn a living for their families, especially children living in cities. In the COMPXJI£ORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE LAWS 21 rural districts, they can still lielp by working on the farm, but any farm tenant or fanner who needs financial aid should not have to keep his child out of school to earn a few dollars There shoulckbe some other form of relief. • Franklin H. Giddings raises and answers this question:** “Is It right to take a strong, overgrown boy 13 years of age from money-earning employment and force him to attend school when, by so doing, we compel a widowed mother to apply to private or pubhc school agencies for help, therebj making her, and perhaps the boy also, a pauper?” Pro- fe^or Giddings concludes that the only answer consistent \nth the policy of compulsory education itself is the propo- sition that in such cases adequate public assistance should be given, not as charity, but as a right. He alsa points out d deepw difficulty which has received but little attention That is^e matter of “race suicide.” . He says: La^e f^ilies are no longer seen, especially in the so-called “middle strange that no one has pointed out the connection be- tween the increi^d demand upon parents to maintain their children n school, foregoing the earning that children might add to the family Income, and the diminishing size of the average family * • • The " •“ “hool between the ages of 10 and 14? * Since there is no work for children under 16 years of age the question may be asked, ShaU the Sthte pay indig^t parents for keeping their children in school up to 16 years of age? INDEFINITE EXEMPTIONS In 17 States children may be exempted from attending whool for reasons satisfactory to the school authorities board of j^ucation, superintendent, teacher, or attendance officer. These States are: i^na, Colorado (if 14 years of age), Delaware, Florida, ^rgia, Idaho (if 15 y^ of age), Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Masrachusetta, Mississippi, New Hampshira (if 14 yesra of age). North Carolina, Rhode Island. South Carolina, Ver- mont, and West Vnginia. The laws of these States usually state for “best utenseta of cluld or for good reasons.” In Oeoigia, ho wever, a chUd may be temporarily exempted by rroo6ddingi<)ltht N»tk^ Bdnokloo AmooMon^ 1906, p. m 22 COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE LA^WB the local board of education, which is authorized to take into consideration the need of farm labor in granting excuses for children in farming districts. » It would seem that after certain exemptions have been named, the provision “for good reasons" is not necessary. Such a provision may be wisely administered, but it doubt- less affords an opportunity to excuse children for reasons not recognized in the laws of many States. I PROVISIONS FOR ADMINISTRATION THE SCHOOL CENSUS FUNCTION Originally the purpose of the school census was to afford a basis for the distribution of State school funds. This pur- pose still obtains in a number of States, but since the tend- ency is to distribute State school funds on bases other than the number of children of specified age, the early purpose is not the sole reason for a school census. Other important purposes of the census are: 1. To asc^tain the amofint of educational service that the school district must provide. 2. To provide a basis for developing a school building program. 3. To assist in the enforcement of the compulsory attend- ance law. One of the first steps in the enforcement of a compulsory school attendance law is the taking of a school census in order to ascertain what children of compplsory school age are not in school. That such a census is necessaiy is obvi- ous. Every year children move from one school district to another, and others reach the minimum compulsory attend/ ance age. If a school census has been taken, the publ^ private, and parochial schools should be able to check off promptly those children not. enrolled. The attendance officers can then easily locate them and discover the ca use of th^ nonattendance. . ^As early m 1873 Supt. John D. Philbrick, of Boston, called attention to the needs of a school census thus: In a large city It ii extremely difficult to execute the law reqjeoting thd attendance ^ children between 8 and 14 yean of age without the COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE LAWS 23 aid of some new inatnunentaUty. The truant officers have no means of knowing the whereabouts of those nonattendants who are not found wandering about the^streets and public squares. What is needed is a register of the names, ages, and residences of all children of the prc- scnbed school age. Such register is found necessary wherever com- pulflory education is fully carried out. Every authority on school administration since that time has advocated the need of an adequate school census. For e.xample, the Commissioner of Education of New York “ recently wrote: The basU for enforcement of the school attendance laws is found in an accurate census of the chUd population. An attendance bureau cannot function properly without a record of the essential facts concemmg each child in its territory. It is necessary to know what children there are in the community, the date when each child becomes of compulsory school age, and who is resRc^ble in case he fails to entCT. A school census eliciting this informiion should be mandatory in aU States. The Uw requiring it should be clear and specific, pro* vidmg for accuTMy and eflBciency. ^ Every State now provides hy law for a school census. Of the 48 States 33 provide for an annual census, 7 for a bien- nial census, 1 for a census every 3 years, 1 for a census every 4 years, 3 for a census eveiy 5 yeare, and 3 for a continuous census. ^ - Although every Stat^ provides for a school census, many school districts of the country do not make use^of it in the enforcem^t of their compulsory attendance laws. In some States it is used chiefly as a basis for securing State school funds. It is evident that unless the census is continuous or t^en at least annuaUy it is of little value to the attendance officer. According to the White House Conference Report:" The ^vantage* of checking an annual enumeration of all persona of qiecifi^ age against school enrollment la apparent. Such use of the census, however, b the exception rather th*n the rule. It b sur- prbing to find In one city where there b an annual enumeration as a part of the chUd accounting system that daU are not even filed alpha- which every inffivldu^ • current record b avaflable there b no asshranoe that every child In the oonununi(y will be served according to hb individual need. Other reports treating of the enforcement of the school attendance laws, especially of surveys of school systems, fr^ f,^*”** Ad m lnto tr atloa <4 Anwrietn Bdncatka. N«r York. The Mso- Protwtioii. The D«U»iiMt Child. MOO IL K«w York^ Th§ Ocoturj Co., i>p 24 COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE LAWS qu«ntly call attention to the lack of an adequate school cen- ^ 8US and to the fact that often little use is made of such census records as are available. The committee on uhiform records and reports, for example, discovered the following weaknesses in the administration of the school census:** 1. Incomplete and inaccurate information regarding total school population. 2. The information is temporary and collected spasmodically. There is no definitely organized continuing census. 3. The actual school population is not adequately or regularly checked with the school enrollment. 4. There is lack of full cooperation between the school authorities and the nonpublic schools, making the so-called continuing census in most cities merely a continuing registration of public-school enrollment. 6. The school rather than the home is made the basis of infdrmation for the so-called census. 6. The State school census laws are not mandatory in some States; so no census is now taken in most of the cities in those States. 7. The school census is used as a basis for a State appropriation for school funds rather than for the full enforcement of the compulsory school laws and chOd labor laws. 8. Many school authorities see no necessity for more accurate, con- tinuing information regarding the school population for which they are legally responsible. 0. Often there is failure on the part of school and community agencies to cooperate with the administrative oflBcers in maintaining accurate school population statistics' (a) because they do not understand and appreciate the significance of a continuing census; (b) because the careless dr inefficient administration of the schools does not inspire confidence and cooperation. A school census to be effective must be continuous. If the annual school census is taken as it is in many States a month or more before the opening of school it will not be accurate when school opens, since some children will in the interim move into the school district and others will move to other communities. After a complete census has been taken by a house-to- house canvas it should be kept up-to-date by adding the names of the children moving into the school district and by removing from the census files the cards of the children who have moved to other districts. The attendance ofiScer, school nurses, and others connected with the school will be >* R«part o( CoounittM on Ualtem Stoordi ud Bwirta D.8.0ao«o(ldaattioii,ball«- .tln, 1S». no. M, p. 40. ERIC COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE LAWS 25 able to leam of many such changes, but it will still be neces-. sary to obtain information from other sources regarding change of residence, as chambere of commerce, welfare associations, and public utility companies. CENSUS AGES AND OTHER DATA There are 15 different census age limits used' by the 48 States. The greatest number of States having the same census ages is only 14. These ages are from 6 to 21 3 *ears. In 8 States the census ages are from 6 to 18 years, and in 6 States from 5 to 21 years. The following table shows for each of the States the school census age and the frequency of enumeration: ^ / Tabl£ 5. School census ages and frequency of enumeration State I Age of children enumerated Alabama Aritona 1 6 to 21 ' .Vrkanaas California Under 18 Colorado 6 to 21 Connecticut 4 to 17 Delaware 6 to 18 District of Columbia Florida 7 to 18 a to 18. ' Idaho. 6 to 21 ' ' minofai-.. 7 to 16 1 Indiana 6 to 21 Iowa 6 to 21 e to2l Eantncky 0 to 18 Louisiana .Milne.. 8 to 21 Maryland a to 18 . •. . MissaebusetUu 5 to 18 Michlcen. 6 to 20 Minnesota. a to la Mississippi 6 to 21 > 3 . Mlawuri. a to 21 Montana. Under 21 NebrailoL a to 21 Nevada Under 21 (must show num- ber between 8 and 18). 8 to 1ft. New Hampshire. New Jersey 6 to 18. New Medco- 5 to 21 Naw York Under 18 i North Carolina— a to 21 North Dakota Ohio a to 18. Oklihoxna. ft to 21 Annunlly. Do. Every third year. Annually (implied). AnnuaUy. Biennially. Annually. May be continuous. Every 5 years. Do. Do. Biennially. Annually. Continuing. Every 4 jrear*. AnnuaUy. Biennially. Annuafly. Do. Do. Biennially. AnnuaUy. Do. Do. AnnuaUy or oMener, as directed by State st^perintendent. AnnuaUy. Every 5 years. Annually. class distilcta; annuaUy else- where. Continuous. Biennially. Annually. Do. ‘ School admlaion age;1 127882*-85 8 1 apeclflo agM noted in school census provisions. ■I 26 COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE LAWS Table 5 . — School census ages andf frequency of enumeration — Con, State Oregon PeDnsylvania.. Rhode Island- South OaK^ina.^ South Da^ Tennessee Texas Utah. Vermont . . . . . ^akc^. see Age of children enumerated 4 to21. 610 16- 4to21. 7 to 16. 6to2K. Frequency of enumeration | Annually. Do. Do. Do. Do. Virginia ! 7 to 20. Washington 1 5 to 21. West V'irginia 6to21. Wisconsin,. • 4lo20, Wyoming 6 to 21. 6 to 16 ..I Biennially. — do ! Annhally. — do-'..- Do. do Do. Every 5 years. Annually. Do. Do. Do. In only 1 State, Illinois, are the census ages the same as the compulsory school attendance ages. In 45 States the minimum census age is less than the minimum compulsory attendance age, and in 4 States it is the saine. In 39 States ; the maximmn school census age is greater than the maximum compulsory attendance age, and in 9 States it is the same. In 22 Sta^s the school census ages are the same as the legal school ages. In 33 States the minimum school census age is the same as the minimum legal age for admission to school, in 1 1 States it is- less, tn»d in 4 States it is greater than ^e admission age. In 31 States the maximum census age is the same as the maximum legal age for school attendance, in 15 States it is less, and in 2 States it is greater than the maximum legal school age. The foregoing data show a great difference among the 'States with respect to the school census ages and with re- spect to the relation of such ages to the compulsory and the legal ages for school attendance. Several questions arise. Should the census ages be the same as the compulsory attendance ages? Or should they be the same as the legd school ages? Or should they not be the same as either the legal compulsory or legal attendance ages? * With respect to the minimum census age, attention may be called to the fact that unless the census age is less than the legal entrance age, schooradministrators cannot have at hand population data to assist them in determining building programs and other policies. As to the maximum census age it would seem that since there is little opportimity for boys and 'girl%. under 18 or COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE LAWS 27 even 20 years ot age to obtain employment the school authorities should know something about the youth above the compulsory attendance age as w«M as about those vitldn u * i OBZoi O « o »- S • 3 ? ,-SS 5 Sfs * ■ e X:| 5 i s e « « Sop u\ 9 • • ^ Hhl “ilil |> S«{Sss8iis3i:;sS: 2^:8:::::;£::sd;:a3s * IMliijiiii ns ■ ° ig r I- L I isi m ■ XI 4* It tz h 3 H : nt o a 2 such age. The school people's interest and responsibility should not be confined merely to the youth in school, but to all the youth of the community: A census of all children 28 COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE L.\.W8 above the compulsory attendance age would reveal certain facts regarding them as whether in school or whether em- ERIC ployed. It is doubtful if many communities know much abo]ft the young men and women above the oompulsoiy ft^dance age who are not in schooL V Figure 2. COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE LAWS 29 The question may be asked, \\*hy should the census age span be 18 years in some States and only 9 years in other States? If the census is to serv^e any purpose, this purpose, it ^lould seem, should be the same for all the States. In order to have complete information regarding the young children and the youth of a community tho census enumera- tion should include all persons under 21 years of age. The school census should make available information on at least the following points: 1. The number of children of con;pulsorv school children of all ages up to 21 years living in the school each attendance district. age, or better, district and in 2. Where the children live — street and nnnilx*r. 3. Who is responsible for the children. 4. Date on which the children become of compulsory school aae 5. How many should be in school. ' 7. J^ether employed and other reasons for nonattendanee 8. Number of physically and mentally handicapped children. The following census record card used ip Denver, Colo illustrates the types of information that a school census department should collect and compile regarding each child m the city. , CENSUS ENUMERATORS In s^eral States the school laws provide tU&t the attend- ance officers take the school census. In most States how- ever, the board of education is designated, but the actual work of makmg the enumeration is done by persons employed by the board, as, attendance officers, teachers, and snecial enumerators. . It would ^em that the enumeration of children in laige cities especially shoidd be one of the duties of the attendance depart- ment, since this department is responsible forthe enforcement of the wmpulsoiy attendance law. .Several school survey reports m teus^ the school census recommend that it under the direction of the attendance department. For ex- ample the school survey report of Holyoke, Mass., states;'* m keeping of the school ceneus should be considered one of the major respon sibUitles of the department of attendance. ****' oUmt, Report of the Suivejtof the Schools of Holioke. York, Taechn CoUofe. Columbb UnlvonJty. uso, p. la. aoifokt. Mam. 4 30 COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE LAWS charge of the whole program of attendance sei vice should be responsible for seeing that the enumerations are made, that supplementary 'informa- • tion is obtained from time to time, and that the census la 00 managed that it is readily accessible to all school agencies which may have ** occasion to use it. The actual clerical work of keeping tlje census records should be in the hands of a census clerk. This clerk may be the same person Who has charge of the other clerical work of the attendance department. This clerk should also be responsible for seeing that the 'eenSus information is complete and continuing at all times. Attendance officers in some communities are, however, probably not qualified to take an accurate census. Dr. Mosher, director of the attendance divsion; New York State Department of Education, says regarding attendance officers as enumerators: ^ N Where the officer is well equipped for such work by a definite under- standing of its purpose and of the need of accuracy, speed, and complete- ness, he can often perform a great service in causing a census of superior qualities to be taken. The usefulness in this work of his knowledge of the school district is clear. Taking the census is no job for anyone who is physically unfit, who is illiterate, or who lacks tact and judgment. In many instances an understanding of statistical work and work with lists and card catalogs is necessary. As to the special enumerator, Dr. Mosher says: < Unless they are under constant and competent supervision and are carefully trained the results are sure to be disappointing. ^ In many communities the entimeration is efficiently made ^ by teachers or principals. In regard to teachers taking the census, Dr. Mosher states: " a method it contains valuable elements not foAnd in other plans. The teachers of Binghamton have taken the school .census for their city for a number of years and recently in Troy notably successful use was made of the plan, while in Baldwin, Bronxville, Almira, Lawrence, > Lansingburg, Lynbrook, Mount Vernon, Patchogue, Pelham,, Port Chester, Port Washington, Poughkeepsie, Roslyn, Tonawanda, Water- vliet, Waverly, and presumably other cities and villages, teachers have taken the census completely or have done the work assisted by attend- ance officers and special enun^rators. Teachers understand census taking better than most others available as enumerators. By it they are brought into touch with the parents of their pupils without any element of criticism or conxplaint as the reason for their visit but presenting to the parent an opportunity for coopera- * Mosher, Charles L., Albany, N. Y., University of the State of New York, Bolietin No. 928, 1929, p. 9. » Ibid., p. 9. »Ibld.,pp.S-7. COM^I^RY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE LAWS 31 tion. Knowledge of the census and of the helprtt can give in bringing promptly to scliool for rfegistration those chUdren required to* attend arouses the interest of teachers and results in more effective use of the census by them. , Teachers are glad to give evidence of their confidence n their super- intendent by following his leadership" and effectively carrying out his plans in this connection and find themselves surprised, when the work has befn completed, at ift value to them and the enjoyment that the task has afforded them. Whatever method is used the enumerators should be per- sons who are intelligent, who understand the importance of a school census, who will make a thorough canvas of the district assigned them, and who can organize the work thoroughly. Selection and quaHfeation.— School attendance oflScera are usually selected by district or county boards of education. In some States both methods are used, the county oflScials selecting the attendance officers except in city and other districts independent of the county school system. In three States, Florida, Maiyland, and West Virginia, the. county school boards select attendance officera for the entire county. In 18 States county school offidSfe^Mlect . attendance oflBcers except for independent districts, ^ese Sta^ ate Alabama, Arizona, California, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, Okla- homa, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and .Washington. In the following 20 States the attendance officere are selected by the district, town, or township school boards: Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Iowa, Kentucky, Marne, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nevadrf^New H^pShire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Penn- ^Ivama, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, and Wiswnsm. In Delaware; with the exception of the independ- ent districts, the attendance offidfers, known as school visitore are appomted by the State board of education. In Idaho, the attendance officers are appointed by the probate court with the approval of the county conimissionefs. In Louisiana, the law provides that reports on truancy b^ade direct to the } uvenile court. In Mississippi, the county superintendent ATTENDANCE OFFICERS r 32 COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE LAWS is authorized to act os attendance ' officer and trustees of municipal school districts x^nth 10,000 population may em- ploy attendance office*. In New Me.xico, the school officials are authorized to enforce the law. In Wyoming, the deputy sheriff and constables are authorized to enforce school attend- ance, but districts with more than 2,000 population may appoint attendance officers. Comparatively few States prescribe educational qualifica- tions for attendance officers, the matter being left to the boards that appoint such officers. Eight States have, how- ever, set up educational standards that may well be emul^rted by the other States, namely, Alabama, California, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Mar}dand, Oregon, and Pennsylvania. In Pennsylvania, however, the law does not specify qualifica- tions for attendance officers, but it does provide that school districts may employ liome and school risitors in addition to attendance officers, and . that such home and school \'isitors shall be legally certificated. The educational requirejMnts for attendance service in each of the aforementionec^tates are as follows: ALABAMA \ Each attendance officer must have a certificate from the State department of education. 'Attendance officers must furnish proof of having met requirements set4tt|by the State department of education before they can recei^^ certificate. The requirements are graduation from a standard college ; a year of gaining in social work, school attendance, and related subjects; 3 years’ successful experience either in teaching or in social work. Three months’ training in social work is accepted in lieu of the year of social work at present and experience is not required of assistants. . - * CALIFORNIA In California, an applicant for a credential in child welfare and supervision nf attendance must present : “ I. A certificate from a physician licensed to practice medicine and ' surgery certifying that the applicant is physically and mentally fit to engage in child welfare and supervision of attendance. s CaliforDla State Department of Education, DiWeioo of Teacher Training and Certiflea- Uon, Bulletin No. JB-2, p. 51. ^ COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE LAWS 33 II, Verification of a valid California certificate, credential, or life diploma of elementary or secondary grade. III. A recommendation from the department of education of a col- lege or university accredited by the California State Board of Education, verifying: A. Two years of successful teaching or social-service expt*nence. B. Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. The d^artment of education may at its discietion recommend candidates for the credential who have secured standing equivalent to that required for the degree or who have had at least 3 years of experience as a principal, supervisor, or executive officer in some school system of more than five teachers. ^ C. Fifteen semester hours of work relating to child welfare and super- vision of attendance. 1. Required courses: (а) School organization and administration including Cali- fornia school law. (б) Growth and development of the child. (c) Methods of social investigation. 2. General electives: . Social and economic problems. Control of poverty. Care of dependents. Social institutions. Immigration. Social case W'ork. _ Studies in standardise living. Crime as a social problem. Tlie rural community — its organization and institution. Social psychology. \ ^ Tests aud measurements. This credential is issued for a period of 2 years and may be renewed thereafter for periods of 5 years upon verification of at least 6 months of successful experience in the public schools of California. , ILLINOIS The county superintendent of schools in each county shall appoint a county truant officer who shall be an assistant county superintendent of schools and who sliall possess quali- fications as such. Assistant county superintendents shall be persons of good attainment, versed in the ^principles and methods of education, familiar with pubUc-school work, and competent to visit schools. 34 COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTEltD.WCE LAWS INDIANA*^ . Specific requirements. A. One-year licenses. Attendance officers* lioensoj valid for 1 year may be issued to high-school graduates who have completed an approved cf)urse in attendance work in an accredited Indiana State college or university, or the e(iuivalent. B. Two-year licenses. Attendance officers’ license's valid for 2 years may l>e issued to the following: (1) Graduates from an approved '4-ycar college course (120 semester hours) including at least 6 semester hours in social subjects. In lieu of 6 semester-hours’ credit in social subjects, the applicant may offer 1 year (12 months) of ex|>eriehce ii» active social work other than service as attendance officer. (2) Graduates from an accredited 4-year college course with service of 1 or more years in attendance work under the acts of 1921, and with a minimum success grade of 87 percent. (3) . Persons who have had experience as att-endance officers under the acts of 1921 of not less than 8 years, and who have attained a success grade of not less than 95 percent. (4) Attendance officers who have served under the acts of 1921 not less than 4 years, who have attained a success grade of 90 percent or more, and whooffer a minimum of 2 term-hours (or 1 S semester-hours) credit in an approved course in attendance W'ork. C. Five-year licenses. Attendance officers’ licenses valid for a period of 5 years may be issued to graduates from a^-year college course who have had 6 or more years’ e.xperience as attendance officers under the acts of 1921, and who have attained a success grade of 95 percent or above. KENTUCKY The State board of education has set up 64 semester hours of college training as the requirement for an attendance oflSicer's certificate. MARYLAND • Completion of standard 3-year normal course or equiva- lent. The attendance onicer's certificate is valid for 3 years, renewable for 4 years upon^idence of successful Experience »* Teacher Training and Lioensina in Indiana, Legal Provisions and Regulations of State ^ Board of Education, prepared under the direction of George C. Cole, ^tate Superintendent of Public I Qstniction, 1932. f COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE LAWS 35 and professional spirit and completion of n 6-\veok summer term and renewable subsequently for 4-year periods upon the same conditions, OREGON Any person in a district of any class who shall be or wlu> has been tlie holder of a certificate valid for (eachin;; in the public schools of Orejjon, and who shall submit evidence of knowledge of the common social problems which relate to school attendance, and of Oregon laws relating to compulsory education, child labor, and registration of minors, and ability to keep the records of the office and to make such statistical records as may bo required of such supervisors, may qualify for the position of attendance supervisor; provided, that any person now' holding the position of truant olficor sludh bo given 1 year in whi^h to qualify for the position of at tendance supervisor. PENNSYLVANIA All home and school visitors shall bo legally certificated ks such by the department of public instruction upon nuCeting such requirements as sh/lll be prescribed by the State council of .education. The regulations regarding their certification are as foUow's: * 1. A c4^i6cate of standard grade (college provisional or permanent, temporary or permanent standard, normal school ccVtiecate or diploma) may be validated authorizing the holder to act as*toine and school visitor on the completion of 6 semester hours in approvenal and sectional confer- ences of attendance officers are doubtless helping .^ichool executives and attendance officers recognize more fully the sc ope and importance of attendance work. For example, the National League of Compulsory Attendance Officiids at its annual meetingrs has been considering tlie attendance problem in its broad aspects as an educational and social problem. In the State of Xew York ‘“conferences are held in nine districts, in each of which an association of attendance and child adjustment workers has been organized. Talks by school administrators, psychiatrists, and others of experience in the field of child welfare are presented. Discus.sicn is had of questions sent in prior to the meeting or presented at that time. Particular attention is given the matter of contact with community groups and organizations to which attend- ance workers must often turn when the child’s trouble is found to lie in fundamentally bad or weak home con- ditjjODS." ” 7n Indiana there is a State Attendance Officers .\ssociation which hns been affiliated with the State Teachers Association. The State superintendent in his report for 1931 says regarding the conferences of this association and of sectional groups; ” ^ I>3vls Frank O., and Wheeler, Charles A., The Developmeni of the Work of tbi A:: jadance Officer, VocalionM Guidance Marine, vrl. 11. April pi 310-313. Ibi.l Twcniy-eik-h’.h Annual Report M the Education De;>4irim- ». Aib 3 nj'. N. Y.,*Tne VdI ver^iiy of the State of New York, 1932 . p 'M ■ Annual Report of the Department of Public IiwlruclioiK>f the Sute i • Ir.il '.r 3 . 40 COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE LAWS The percent of attendance at the annual meeting is always high. The members elect their own officers, appoint committees, initiate discussions, secure speakers, and listen to various reports such as those of school administrators in their efforts made to so modify the school pro- gram as to adequately care for the maladjusted. These State meetings contribute to the understanding of the purpose of compulsory school attendance — namely, to serve boys and girls of the school population who arc not physically or inentAlly adjusted to the regular school routine, or those who lack books, clothing, or parental care. Furtlier- more, the State organization fosters in the officers an assurance of tlie worthwhilcncss of their work and a confidence in their abilitv to carry on — attributes essential to successful leadership. In addition to tlie State conference there are organized sectional groups which hold 1-day sectional meetings 3 or 4 times a year. Ten or a dozen officers attend each meeting, participate in round-table discussions and studies. These sectional meetings arc to the attendance workers what the county institutes were to the teachers before the latt<'r w*erc required to take j)rofcssional training. Other school officials frequently attend these meetings and are asked to contribute to the j)rogram. Maryland is another State in which there are conferences of attendance officers at which such topics as the following have been discussed:^ Problems growing out'of poverty and pauperism; problems resulting from low' intelligence or indifference of parents or children; problems resulting from broken homes; the relation of overage to attendance; incen- tives and devices that may be used by attendance officers for securing hotter school attendance; underprivileged children and special education ; and other topics^of equal import. Number of attendance officers . — It is difficult to say wdiat the pupil-attendance officer ratio should be. The Wliite House Conference Report says, however, ‘Hhat if an attend- ance officer for every 1,500 6r 2,000 children enrolled in public, private, or parochial schools were provided it would be possible to do more intensive work in every case for which such work is needed.^ ^ This standard has^not been attained in cities having a population of 10,000 or more. In the small cities where the enrollment is about 1,500 to* 2,000 and where an attendance officer is employed on full time, as is often the case, the ratio suggested has been attained, but in many such instances the attendance officers are not qualified for social case work. COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE LAWS 41 The following shows for >032 the ratio of pupil enrollment in the public school to attendance officer by groups of cities having a population of 10,000 or more: I Ratio of j pumlen- Population group [ ' Ur^jinoe otlhrer 1.000,000 and more 3,483 500.000 to 1 .OOtl.OOO 4, 330 100.000 to 6 mentary school 4 r* teac|)ers 100,000 and over $1,071 -1.617 030 $1,047 1,520 1,360 1,217 1,OBO 30,000 to 100,000.- 10,000 to 30,000 6,000 to 10,000. 600 2,580 to 6,000 60(1 '■ Special salary tabulations, Researcb Division of the National Education Association— Tabulations I-B, II-B, III-B, IV-B, V-B, 1933. 1273M*-^36 1 COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE LAWS • Jso data are at hand to show the salary of attendance officers in places having a population of less than 2,500. It is well known, however, that in the Smaller communities the salary of such officers is very small. No data are availablfe showing the total cost of attendance service in the Lnited States, howe^^er, in 1932, 28 States reported an expenditure of $3,278,439 for compulsory school attendance service. ’ The ampunt expended by’ each of the States reporting was: •\ lahtima . p Arizona . ronntTticut Delaware . $i:n.s'j2 57.129 1 1 Ti. 767 . New Mexico . . North Dakota Ohio _ . . <^>reiton PeDD.sylvania 1 JO. 752 422.1^ , 2:H160 ' IH.371 903. 698 Disirici of Columbia 35. 563 ' ' Kloritla ( ieorKia . . Maho. 35.05.3 • 11,058 M Rhrxle Island.. . Tennessee I lab 72,.^ 85. 5fi3 Illinois Keiuucky ! 3 IS. 492 1 30.371 j . ' Vermont. Virginia ' 23, 227 1 4,610 1 15,690 Maine MarylftOil West Virftinia » ^Visconsin - 1 79,002 ' 67. 107 5.990 Montana Nebnuska New Jersey.. 20,129 . ^^>oming ' .( 1.S98 528,041 Jf the States not reporting expended in the same propor- tion for attendance service, the total w'as more than 5)2 million dollars. This is, however, probably a low estimate, for according to data compiled regarding expenditures for attend- ance service in 215 cities having a population of 10,000 or more, the amount expended in 1931-32 for such service in these cities was $3,540,226. The following shows the total amount expended for attend- ance service, theotamounr expended per pupil in average daily attendance, and the amount expended per attendance officer for several cities reporting for the different population groups in 1931-32: 1 ' Size of city Number of cities reiKirtinp Total amount expen c|ed for at- tendance service Amount expended per pupil •Q average daily aU teadance Aknount expended per at- « ■tendan£» ofTicer 1 1 2 3 ! 4. 1 « 1,000,000 or more. 500.000 to 1.000.000 100.000 to 500,000 30.000 to 100,000 10,000 to 30,000... Total ' * i b ! 61 H4 57 S.’3.303 KM, 4 is r7,307 M.601 $0.85 .67 .43 .36 .31 $2,61} 2.40} 1.06$ 1,604 , 612 215 3, MO, 226 .61 2,233 COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE LAWS 43 The higher pupil cost in the larger cities may be duo to several causes: (1) The problem of attendance -may be greater and it may be taken more seriously than in the smaller cities; (2) salaries of employees, in general, are hi<;hor in the larger cities. If data were available for cities' of less than 10,000 population, the cost of attendance service per pupil in these cifies would be far less than the 31 cents for cities having a population between 10,000 iiiul 30,000. REPOHTINt; TRb.WCY In only 29 of the State laws is mention made as to when truancy shall be reported. In 13 States, reports of absences are recpiiripd immediately or promptly- Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Montana, Nebraska, Penn.sylvania, Tennessee, Te.Yas, Vermont, Mrginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and I\yoming;in 5 States, weekly — .\labama, I'lorida, Kontiick v, New Me.xico, and South Carolina; in 1 State, South Dakota, every 2 weeks; ip 7 States, monthly— Arkansas, Georgia, Idaho, Kansas, \Kssoiiri, Ohio, and Oregon; and in 3 States, from time to tinfe — Illinois, Michigan, and Mississippi Clearly, if absentees are reported but once a month a parent may keep Ins child out of school ns many as 20 days before he is called to account. In a w’ell-administered school system no child is out of sclyool fhr more than a da_v or two without the teacher’s making an effort to ascertain why such child is absent. In many instances the teacher herself is not in a position to ascertain the cause of absence, but she should be held respon- sible for reporting absences when the cause of absence is not kno\\'n. The \VTiite House Conference Report reads regartl- ing teactiers’ reporting absences: Few systems hold the teachers sufficiently rcsponsiljlc in tlic matter of attendance. Where eflTort is made to judge of the efficiency of the teacher, attention should Iw given to her recorcl of attendance. It is frequently true that cases come to the attention of the attendance department from outside sources which reveal the fact that certain children have been absent from school when the cause was illegal and avoidable without ixiing reported. Even a legal absence may he the beginning of a tendency toward avoidable absences. One of the most frequent types of such cases is children excluded from school because “ The White Houae Coufereac© on Child Health New York, The Ccnlury Ce., 1932, pp. 391-392. and Protection, The Delinquent Child. # 44 COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTEND ANCfc LAWS of Bkin ^nd head conditions. It is imperative that these cases im- mediately he followed to secure needed care so that the child may be returned to school at the earliest possible time. Failure to report truancy may, however, be due to the fact that in many States the laws do not define truancy or indicate how many days a pupil may be absent from school before he should be reported. Truancy should be defined either in the law or provision should be made to have it defined hy the State department of education. Only 21 States have incorporated in their compulsory attendance laws any definition of truancy. These definitions are almost as numerous as the States that attempt a defini- tion, as may be noted from the following, which shows what constitutes truancy in the States defining: it: Hahitiially absent Without reasoriable excuse 1 week 7 days, or 14 half-days in any G-inonth period. 4 days imexcused absence any month. 3 days, or parts of 3 days 3 days, or equivalent 2 or more conseeutive days Morefhan 1 day One-half day or more 8 uncxcused half-day absences in any 4 w'ceks. Defined hy State board New Jersey, South Dakota, Wiscon- sin, W^yoming. ’ Iowa, Louisiana, Rhode Island. Connecticut, Virginia (in any school month), Massachusetts. Florida. California, Nevada, Kentucky. Pennsylvania, Maryland (within 8 consecutive weeks). Kansas. Mississippi. Maine. ' * Oregon. North Carolina. WHEN TRUANCY MUST CEASE It would seem that truancy or absence, after a specified ni^ber of days' absence without lawful exc^Q^ should cease as soon as the parent has been notified b^he attendance officer. Yet only 30 StatesMaws specify when the child must return to school, and the specifications are far from bein^ uniform, varying from at once to 10 days, or to a reasonable time, as may be noted in the following wliichshows " * the time allowed for returning to school the child w^hout legal excust,^ in those States specifying when truancy ip.ust cease. ' f COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE LAWS 45 within 10 days — Georgia. Within 5 days Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Ne- braska, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming. Within 3 days.. Alabama, Delaware, Mississippi, Mis- ^ ^ souri, Pennsylvania. Within 2 days ^ ... Montana. 1 day,' or at once Florida, Indiaifa, Kansas, Kimtiicky, Michigan, Nevada, North Caro- lina, Ohio, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, West Virginia. Within reasonable time, or as Idahov Illinois, soon as practicable. PENALTIES FOU NONENFORCEMENT Penalties for the nonenforcement of the compulsory attend- ance laws apply to attendance olFicers, parents or guardians, and teachers. Nineteen States provide penalties for attend- ance officers for failure to act in truancy. cases. The fines vary considerably witliiri these States. For e.xample, in Illinois the fine provided is not less tlian $25, in Minnesota not over $10, in Wasl^gton from $20 to $100, in Tennessee removal from office, in North Dakota $10 and removal, as may be noted from the following which shows the penalties that may be imposed upon attendance officers for neglect in the enforce- ment of the attendance laws; Removal from office $10 and removal Not over $25 and removal. Not less than $26 _ Not over $11^ Not over $10 or not over 10 days in ‘ jail. Not over $25 Not over $50 Not over $100 $3 to $20 $5 to $20 $5 to $26 $10 to $60 $20 to $50..^ $20 to $100 $26 to $60 and removal ^ California, Florida, Teniiessfee. North Dakota. Iowa. Illinois. Arkansas. Minnesota. Pennsylvania. Colorado. , * Vermont. West Virginia. Oregon. Wisconsin. Maine, South Dakota. Ohio. Washington, Kentucky. The question may be raised whether removal from office rather than a fine should not be the penalty. In the 32 States 46 COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE LAWS % that do not specify a penalty for failure of attendance officers to act on truancy cases or to perform the duties assigried them, they can doubtless be removed from office in the sapie manner as other employees of the board of education. All the State laws provide for the punishment of parents or guardians upon conviction of failure to keep their children in school as provided by the compulsory attendance laws. In 5 States, Alabama, Idaho, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, apd Utah, the amount of fine is not stated in the law, but the failure of a parent to keep his child in school is punishable as’-a mis- demeanor. The fines lhat may’ be imposed upon parents or guardians V^ary considerably. For e.xainple, in Pennsylvania the fine for first offense is 82; in Indiana from $20 to S200; and in Mississippi from SI to SIO. The following phows the amount of fines that may be imposed for first offense and the States imposing such fines: , $2 j Pennsylvania. $5 Texas. $10 V New^Hampshire. Not over .$5 j, Connecticut, Florida, Maryland, New , Jersey, New York. Not over $10-. Arkansas, California, Georgia, Ken- tucky, Louisiana, Nevada. Not over $20 Massachusetts. $l to $10 - Mississippi. $2to'$10 Tennessee. $5 to $20 Illinois, Iowa, Montana, North Da- kota, Ohio. $5 to $25 *- Colorado, Delaware, Kansas, North Carolina, Oregon, Vermont, Wyo-’ ming. $5 to $50 Arizona, Michigan, Wisconsin. $5 to $100 Nebraska, New Mexico. $10 to $25 Missouri. $10 to $50 South Dakota. $10 to $200 Indiana. Amount not stated Alabama, Idaho, Oklahoma, Rhode. Island, Utah. In 16 States/^ principals and teachers may be fined for failure to report absences. Three States, Alabama, Idaho, and Kansas, provide for withholding the month’s salary. The fines thn^ may be imposed upon principals and teachers and the States imposing such fines are as follows: # 0 Compulsory school atten'dance l.\ws' 47 Monthly salary withheld Alabama, Idalin, Kai S5 South Ciiroliiia. Not over SIO Arkansas, Minnesota. Not over S25 Pctmsylvania. S3 to $20. — West V irginia. $5 to S20... ^ Iowa, Oregon. S5toS25.-- Vermont, Wisconsin. SIO to $50 Si)Utl> Dakota. S20toS50 Ohio. S20 to Si 00 — Washington. $25 to $50 — • Kentucky. COURTS OF JURISDICTION Various CQurts have jurisdiction over truancy or failure of 4)arents to comply with the provisions of the attendance law. In some States several courts may have jurisdiction, but the justice of the peace court has jurisdiction more often than has any other court. The following is a list of the courts having jurisdiction, together with the States in which such courts have jurisdiction over truancy: Court of competent jurisdictiem. Alabama, 'Arkansas. County couii Arizona, Colorado* New York, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Virginia. Proper court ..... California, Nevada. Justice of the peace ConVeticut, Delaware, Maryland, 'Michigan Mississippi, Missouri, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon, * Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wis- consin, Wyoming. JuvenUe court, District of Columbia, Indiana, Kan- sas, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, New York, Ohio, Tennessee, Vir- ginia, Wisconsin. Any court of jurisdiction Florida,' Minnesota. Probate court of county Idaho. Court of peace Illinois. Circuit court v . Indiana, Missouri. Superior court Indiana, Washington. Nearest court of jurisdiction Kentucky. Court of jurisdiction Georgia, Montana, Ohio. A magistrate Maine, South Carolina. Courts of special session New York. Police magistrates Do. State attorney North Dakota, Vermont. ' District courts Rhode Island. t 48 * COMPULSORY SGftOOL ATTENDANCE LAWS ORGANIZATION FOR ATTENDANCE SERVICE The organization for attendance service varies from a part- time attendance officer'in small school districts to large de- partment bureaus or divisions in the large cities. Generally the attendance officer or the attendance depart- ment is responsible to tbe board of education threrugh the superintendent of schools. If, however, the attendance division is part of a bureau, it is responsible to the super- 'intendent of schools through the director of the bureau. In a few instances, especially in small school systems, attendance service is performed by the supervnsing principal and in a few instances the service is performed by an agency outside the school system. The only tyn^e of organization accept- able to authorities on school administration is the one in which the attendance work is delegated by the superintendent of schools to an attendance officer or a department of school attendance or a. division within a department, since this type of organization recognizes the principle of delegated authority and responsibility. If there is but one attendance officer, he should be responsible directly to the superintendent of schools; if there is a department, the chief attendance officer should be directly responsible to the superintendent of schools and the other attendance officers to the head of "the attendance department. If, however, the attendance work is part of a larger bureau of child welfare or of a service bureau, the chief attendance officer should be responsible -to the director of the bureau. In the States having the county unit form of school ad- ministration the organization of the school attendance service should follow the same genef^f^lan used in the cities of the county. In the States not organized on the county unit plan of school administration, but in which county super- intendents are employed, the attendance work should also be under the general direction of the county superintendent. In other words, there should be county attendance officers directly responsible toHhe county superintendent of schools to look after all matters relating to nonattendance in the several school districte of the county. In the organization of attendance service provision should be made for the closest cooperation with other departments COMPULSORY SCHOOL-ATTENDANCE L.4.WS 49 1 and agencies. It is doubtful Ahethor any other department of a school system has relationships with as many-other de- partments or agencies as does the attendance department, which, for example, has relations with the superintendent of schools, the principals, the teachers, the children, the parents, the courts, the school and city health departments, employers, welfare agencies, correctional institutions, and nonpublic schools. These relationships hold for any city or county school system whether it be large or small. The one at- tendance officer of a small school system has pt-ncticnlly the same relationship to other school officials and to various agencies as has a large attendance department. | To illustrate the organization and some of the|ser\dces performed by attendance departments in the large cxies the 4 following brief descriptions of the attendance departments in Philadelphia, Pa., Denver, Colo., and Boston, MuS., are presented: PhihdelphidJ ^ — The follo\ring is a summary of the serv- ices rendered by tbe di\'ision of compulsory attendance: 1. Taking the school census. 2. Investigation of cause of absence refcitfcd to the attendance department. \ 3. Visits to homes, to the schools, and to endplo;k cr8. 4. Furnishing information to social service agencies and to many persons outside the school system requesting information in regard to children in school. 5. Interviews with children and parents with a view to making adjustments in the home and in the school. *6. Investigation by a special social service staff of children who are serious behavior problems in the school, of the homes employing chil- dren for domestic service on exemption permits, study of children referred for admission to the parental school. 7. Referring cases to magistrates’ court. 8. Referring cases to jnvenile court. 9. Supervision of street trades. 10. Filing records of pupils’ wit^awal from school. 11. Preparation of the monthl^and annual repKsrts on enrollment and attendance. 12. Investigation of cases of damage to school property by school children. 13. Assisting with relief work for needy families having children attending school. *> Report of tbe Division of Compulsory Education, Pbiladelphia, DoaTd of Public , Education, June 30, 1833. 50 COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE LAWS 14. junior placement service, including registration of young people 14 to 21 years of age, educational and vocational counseling, issuing employment certificates, vocational guidance and follow-up, and visit- ing employers. # >. Denver, Cofo.^**-The attendance department known as the census and attendance department enforces three State laws: Comi)ulsory school attendance law, the child labor law, and the school census law. Thus the work is organized into three definite divisions: Census, attendance, and work certifica- tion and placement. Supt. A. L. Threlkeld commenting upon the work of the Denver attendance department says: In addition to such traditional functions as enumerating pupils of school age in the district, enforcing the compulsory school law, and the like, functions important in themselves, the work of this department includes that type of social service which ascertains the causes of ir- regular school attendance and attempts to bring about the neces-* eary changes — in the individual, his home, or the community at large — for the removal of these causes. In general, it may be said that the removal of the causes of irregular attendance often removes the obstacles to the pupil’s success in school. Therefore, the work of this department increases in significance as it develops techniques in social service for making those adjastments which are essential to good . school work. The information concerning the pupils of school age in every block of the city which this department keeps on file and which is available at a moment’s notice, is of incalculable value in planning an economical building program. ^These newer functions of the department of census and attendance Wmand a higher type of training on the part of its personnel, training in various sociological fields in addition to a broad educational back- ground. This fact the board of education has recognized by adopting a salary schedi^forthe personnel of this department w’hith recognizes training and ei^lrience as these factors are recognizjcd in the schedule for teachers. Boston^ Mass . — The attendance department comprises a head supervisor of attendance and 32 supervisors of attend- ance. Thirty supervisors are** assigned to the work in connection with the elementary, intermediate, high, continuation, and evening schools. One supervisor is assigned to supervise the enforcement of the laws pertaining to continuation and evening school attendance and the em- ^ Organization and Work of the Department of Census and Attendance^ Denver Public Schools, Monograph no. 8, 1030. ** Public Schools of a Metropolis, General Federation of Women's Club^>epartment of Education, Boston, Mass., 1032. 0 COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE LAWS 51 ployment of illiterate minors. He also makes special investigations pertaining to employment and educational certificates. ~Gne siijuT- visor is assigned as supervisor of licensed minors and enforces the general laws pertaining to street trades, and the rules and regulations of the school committee regarding the same. The head supervisor of attendance is also in charge of^t)c certificat- ing office, which issues working certificates to all minors between the ages of 14 and 21 who seek employment. A new certificate is issiietl with every change of employinenff STATE SUPERVISION OF SCHOOL ATTENDANCE State school administrators seeing the lack of onforcoinont on the part of many local school officials have from time to time recommended State supervision. The folloN\Tng may be cited as examples of such recommendations: There should be connected with the State superintendent’s oflice a BiKJcial attendance officer wdiose duty it should be to Ci»oprrnte with school superintendent, committees, and local attendance officers to the end that all children between the ages of 7 and 15 may give regular attendance at school. This is necessary if the full spirit of the law is observed. Administration of the law' is entirely in local hai^ds and, hence, is subject to all kinds of neighborhood limitations. It is douhtfuf w hether the law will ever be effective utitil ultimate authority to dir»i t its enforcement is placed in the State department of edi^atihn and ])ro- vision made for following it up tliroughout the State. Tliis would he in harmony with the power now vested in the Department of Lal)or in tlje administration of the child labor laws.*^ The appointment of truant officers should be made compulsory upon boards of education, and in order to get the best results there should he made provision for a State attendance officer whose duty would l»o to ^heck up on attendance throughout the State.** . In several States, however, the State departments of educa- tion ore endeavoring to keep in touch with the attendance work in the various communities of their respective. States. In Alabama, there is a State attendance officerrin Delaware, the State board of education employs Aisiting teachers; in Connecticut, the State department exercises supervision over attendance through an attendance office; in Indiana, tlfore is a State board of attendance, which employs a State attend- “ Report of the State Superintendent of Schools of Maine. 1920-21. p. 22. Twenty -flnt Biennial Report of the Department of Education. Hliile of Minnesota, 1919-20. p. 11. w Biennial Report of the State Superintendent of Free Schools of West V'irKiniH, 1922-24, p. 67. 52 •COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE LAWS nncc officer as its executive; in New Hampshire, the director of child welfare of the State department of education has general supervision of attendance; in Kentucky, there is a State supervisor of attendance; in Maryland, the State de- partment of education assigns a member of tho staff to act as advisor on attendance problems; in New York, there is an ut'tendanco and child accounting division in the State depart- ment of education; in North ('arolina', tho State department of child welfare supervises the enforcement of the attendance laws; in Ohio, the enforcement of tho compulsory attendance laws, studies of their effects, and the planning of the annual school census centers in tho director of child accounting; in Pennsylvania, the supervision of the enforcement of tho attendance law is centered in the child accounting and statistics division of the State department of public instruc- tion. The following are brief descriptions of the organization and work of the attcndancei*bfficos and bureaus in several of tho State departments of education: ALABAMA The State school attendance office of Alabama was organ- ized in 1928. The function of the office is to administer the biennial school census enumeration, the apportionment of the attendance fu,nd, to supervise attendance programs, and to make statistical reports. It supervises attendance by advis- ing with city and county attendance officers, by requiring reports, and by assisting in the selection of attendance officers. Monthly and annual attendance reports are required. CONNECTIClir In 1869 a member of the Connecticut State Board of Educa- tion was appointed to see that there was no illegal employ- ment of children and that each child ha,d at least .3 months’ schooling. In 1872 a regular agent was appointed. There are 1 7 employees connected with the State attend- ance office: 1 director of attendance, 7 supervisors of attend- ance, and 9 clerks. The function of the State office is the securing of attendance in accordance with the statutes of the COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANXE LAWS 53 State. The leaving certificates to children are is.sued by the State attendance office. . No supervision is e.xercised by the State office in cities and in villages and rural districts having attendance olficers unle.ss corrtplaints are received. Where there are no local truant officers the State office takes care of the entire situation based upon monthly reports from each teacher. During the year 1933-34 the State office investigated cases of irregular attendance, visited 5,836 families and 2,757 schools. INDIANA «• In 1921 a State board of attendance was created in the State of Indiana. The personnel of tliis board is the same as that of the State board of education, which consists of the State' superintendent of public instruction, the presidents of Purdue University, the State university, and the State normal school, superintendents of schools of the the .3 cities having the latest enumeration of school cldldren, 3 citizens actively engaged in educational work in the State, at least 1 of whom shall be a county superintendent of schools, and 3 persons actively interested in ana of known sympathy with vocational education, 1 of whom shall be a representa- tive of employees and 1 of employers. Although the personnel of the State board -of attendance and the State board of education are identical, the official organization may not be tl»e same. When matters relating to school attendance are considered, the State board of education convenes as the State board of attendance. The powers and duties of the State board of attendafice are: 1. Appoint a State attendance officer and fix his salary at a sum not to exceed $3,000 a year and his duties not otherwise provided for. 2. Fix the qualifications of attendance officers. 3. Remove attendance officers from office for incompetence or ^ neglect of duty. 4. Design and require the use of a uniform system of attetidance reports, records, and forms needed for the full enforcement of the compulsory school attendance act. 6. Perform all other duties necessary for the full and complete interpretation and enforcement of the compulsory school attendance act. ** State of Indiana. Department ot Public Instruction, Bullelio No. 1 10, Compulsory Educa- tion, Related Laws, and Commeota, 1931. p 54 COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE LAWS The State attendance officer is appointed by the State board of attendance for a period of 4 years to act as its executive officer. His powers and duties are: 1. To have general supervision over the attendance officers of the State, 2. To visit the various attendance districts of the State, inspect the work of the attendance officers, ai»d investigate the manner in which the compulsory attendance act is being enforced. 3. To institute court action wherever necessary. 4. To make such reports and perform such other duties as arc rec|uir(‘d of him by the State board of nttendance, Tlio poneral supervision of the attendance* officers is nccoinplished by the State officer carrying to the local officers the rules and regulations and ■svishes of the State hoard of attendance, by counseling with them and meeting with them in conference groups, and by oncotiraging attend- ance officers to employ approved social ser\"ice teclmique. Although the law makes it the pronnee of the State bol>d of attendance to “fix the qualifications of attendance offi- cers”, the board assigns to the State attendance officer the duty of passing upon the applicant's credentials before the Ucensing diWsion is authorized to issue the license. All attendance officers are required to make a report to the State board of attendance semiannualjy. This report includes an accounting «f all children movi^ into or out of an attendance district, of all clxildren of compulsoi^ school age not enrolled, number of cliildren who have been absent legally or illegally, number of days of absence and causes, efforts of attendance officers to keep children in school, and notes on court action. NEW YORK The attendance and child accounting division of the New , York State education department was organized in 1904 to see to it that all tlie children of the State are assured the American birthright of an education, whether their parents favor it or not. There are 10* employees connected with the division — 1 director, 1 assistant to director, 1 secretary-stenographer, 4 field supervisors, and 3 clerks. The functions of the State attendance office' are: I / COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE LAWS 55 A. -Central State office: 1. Directs school census and attendance procedure in the school districts comprising the State. 2. Provides census forms and reports, school registers, and other material for school districts. 3. Receives monthly attendance reports from school districts. 4. Receives monthly reports from attendance officers and checks on the employment of the same by town boards and boards of education as required by statute. 6. Cooperates in the management of the State a.ssociation of attendance and child adjustment workers. Arranges also for regional and county conferences of attendance workers. 6. Proyides pamphlets on attendance and child accounting matters; i. e., school census (compulsory law, attendance digest, pupil records, school records, qualifications of attendance officers, responsibility of school authorities in connection with childr(;n exempted from attendance, and others). 7. Directs the procedure of superintendents of schools who arc designated by statute as certificating officers to issue employ- ment certificates, vacation work pernnts, and age certificates. 8. Cooperates with other State departments in cases of combined responsibility. ' B. State field workers: 1. Each Bujjetvisor is assigned 15 counties. 2. He supervises procedures therein through contacts wdth super- intendents and district superintendents in charge apd through visits to schools. He attends teachers’ and other conferences. 3. He analyzes the reports from his territory. 4. He assists school administrators in ^difficult attendance cases which warrant special attention. 5. He assists with school census planning where needed. The attendance division and other State department-; cooperate closely. The labor and education departments have mutual responsibility in connection with employment of children which is me^y consultation and interclnirif'e of reports. In particular, the labor department reports cases of violations found. Health, education, and mental hygiene departments have frequent common interest in cases of crippled or otherwise handicapped children, epidemics, special health needs, and the dike. The child guidance clinics of the mental hygiene depart- ment held in nearly all sections of the State each month advise the attendance division and local school authorities concerning school -children exajffiined. "’^is service is par- -ticularly important where small school systems or "districts 56 COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE LAWS have no psychiatric service. Need of special class, special course, or institutional care is often discovered. . The child welfare council appointed at the suggestion of the Governor includes a representative from each department particularly concerned ^^itli children: Correction, education, labor, mental hygiene, and social welfare. It serves as a clear- ing house. The State attendance office super\dses attendance in cities and in villages having superintendents of schools through monthly reports, of attendance and attendance officers, bv correspondence and by visitation by the director or a super- visor., In the rural districts contact is made wnth the district superintendent. Special cases are taken up os warrant is found therefor. . ^ The following reports are required from local school at- tendance officers or boards of education: 1. Monthly report of attendance. 2. Monthly report of attendance officers. These reports include information on transfers, tardiness, and other items. . 3. Annual report on census and enrollment comparison. \ 4. Annual report on compulsory education. r PENNSYLVANIA c In 1919 the attendance bureau was organized in the Penn- sylvania Department of Public Instruction. * In 1925 the name was changed to cliild helping and accounting bureau and in 1933 to child accounting and statistics division. Originally the bureau was organized to standardize attend- ance regulations and to supervise the observance of the at- tendance and child labor laws. The office staff comprises 4 staff members and 1 1 clerical employees. The office is charged with the duty of 1. Cooperating with school districts in — (а) Utilizing child helping agencies in the study and solution of problems of child oarc, treatment, and retardation. (б) Local coordination of contacts between the sahool and the home. j ' (c) Securing compliances with the laws regulating the employment ' of minors. 2. Compiling and preparing — • » (a) Statistical data and reports. > (b) Answers to questionnaires. er|c COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTEjfefrNXE LAWS 57' 3. Making available statistical data for graduate students, taxpayers^ associations, and other organizations. 4. Conducting research studies. This division cooperates in a number of ways with the division of medical inspection and the bureau of vital sta- tistics in the State department of health, the division of family and children’s work in the State department of wel- fare, the bureau of women and children in the department of labor and industry, and the State emergency relief board. It provides blanks for and supervises the issuance of employ- ment certificates, farm and domestic service permits, and age certificates. Attendance officers, the department of labor and industri»j and local police are charged with the enforcement of the provisions of the child labor law. When employment certificates are issued for occupations that are not prolubited, ininors 14 to^ 16 years of age are examined by school physi- cians to determine their physical condition. In districts having a total population of less than 5,000 these physicians are appointed by the State department of health. In ^tricts having a total population of 5,000 or more boards of school directors select the physicians who examine such pupils. Representatives of the division visit school districts as often as possible. Each district submits attendance reports to the county or district superintendent monthly and to the State department three times a year through the office of the district or county superintendent of schools. A summary of enumeration is sent to the State office annually by each district and an employment certificate report semiannually. - SUMMARY AND IMPLICATIONS OF COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE LAWS One x>ffB<^-original aims of compulsory school attendance laws was to abolish illiteracy^ \Vliile this aim continues, there is an increasing awareness that it is no longer enough that the masses know merely how to read. Education ^or modem life requires much more than literacy; it requires soqie knowledge and understanding of the fundamental and unavoidable social problems which sooner or late^ confront t^e great majority of young people. In order to Achieve the practical knowdedge and understanding exact<^ by modern 127382*— 3S 5 ^ . A ERIC 58 COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE LAWS civic obligations it is essential that the education of youth should be a regular and continuous process free from inter- ruptiops resulting from irregular school attendance. The extent to. which children attend school and the regu- larity of their attendance are determined by many factors, and for ^his reason it is difficult to estimate the relative importance of various features of school attendance laws. Social, economic, racial, and geographical conditions influence school attendance. Also the type of school buildings, equip- ment, roads, transportation, health, teac^g met^ds, personality of teachers, and the maintenances kindergartens and part-time schools are all influencing factors. Moreover, popular recognition by parents and children of the value of an education is now apparently the strongest factor in pro- moting school attendance. If in any community the public generally or the school authorities are indifferent with respect to school attendance, the best attendance law will fail to protluce adequate results. Educational history shows that nonattendance amd illit^ eracy keep rather close company, A study of the compulsory education laws, nonattendance, and illiteracy strongly indi- cates interesting relationships. A "study ^ of compulsory education laws in effect in 1928, together, with the 1930 census, revealed that: (1) The 10 States whioh ranked lowest in the percent of literacy of persons between 10 and 20 y^ars of age had, apparently, less rigid and less definite compulsory school ’attendance laws. (2) These 10 States also ranked far below the average percent in school attendance. (3) The 2 States whicfi ranked lowest in percent of literacy of persons within the stated ages were also the same 2 States which had, ap- parently, the weakest laws. * (4) Illiteracy and nonattendance Were lately affected by racial differences. (5) Nine of the 10 States having apparently less rigid and definite laws also* manifested an* unusually high rate of nonaitendan^ and illiteracy among the native white population between 10 and 20 years of age. ^ - - Table 6 has been prepared for the purpose of eummarizing in a comparative^jaiiSaer the main features of State com- pulsory school attendance laws as are found to exist at the « Can Better Laws Reduce Illiteracy^ Bcbool Life, toI. XVI, Mafch 1032. COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE LAWS 59 « ■ ' beginmng of 1935. The 20 features here sununarized are listed preceding the table. The total number of States having each of the features listed is shown in parentheses ( '), respectively. ^ * Provisions Relating to Attendance, Age, Exemptions, . Term of Attendance 1. Minimum compulsory attendance age less than S. 2. Maximum compu^^ry attendance age 16 or more 3. No exemptions allowed for poverty . 4. No exemptions allowed for distance 5. No exemptions allowed for indefinite reasons 6. Eighth grade or more required for work permit. . 7. Attendance required for full term 1 8'. Nine years or more attendance required * 9. School term of 8 or more months 10. Attendance ofl^cers certificated i. Provisions for , Enforcement (32) (42) (29) (26) ( 31 ) ( 20 ) (39) (33) (25) ( 8 ) 11. Annual or continuous school census. 12. Truancy defined 13. Provides when truancy shall cease. 14. Penalty on principals or teachers for failure to report truancy 15. Penalty on attendance officers fgr neglect of duty 16. Requires truancy to be reported immediately _ 17. Requires attendance officers to act immediately 18. Provides who shall grant exemptions ' 19. Provides who shdl report truancy 20. Regular attendance officer required (36) ( 21 ) • (29) (16) (19) ( 11 ) (16) (38) (37) (45) The States which have any of the features above listed are indicated in t^ble 6 by X marks placed in the columns numbered to correspond with the order in which the features are listed. For example, the X marks in column 2 the States having a maximum compulsory attendance age of 16 or more, which corresponds to feature no. 2 above. r 60 > COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE LAWS * Table 6. — Principal features df school attendance laws [The features Indicated by the numbers in columns l to 20 are shown on pa^e 59] State Provisions relating to atiendanc© npe, exemptions, term of attend- ance, etc. Provisions relating to enforcement o ERIC 1 2 3 4 1 5 6 1 t! 8 1 1 9 10 i 11 12 1 13 ' 13 1 14 1 i 15 16 i 1 17 18 i 1 ■'1 TO (Q h Ala # X X X 1 ...1 1 \ X 1 X : 1 X X i X 1 1 I ; i j ..Jxi X 1 12 Aril. 1 1 j X 1 X ■ X X -.J 1 1 I 1 7 Ark X I I X 1 ...! I I 1 X 1 X I'i fj'! X 1 12 C'Alif X X i X i X 1 'x*' X 1 X , ' ^ 1 -1 X ! I X 12 ('olo _ X 1 X X 1 X X t X X ■ * " 1 1 X ' 8 Conn X X X : X ' ■"! X I ' X 1 X X '! 1 X j ' 1 1 X X 12 Del X X r' Y _ . 1 X ' X ; X X I ...1 1 X i X I n Fla X X --,1 X 1 X ' X X i ! X ; 1 1 X 1 I..!! j * X X X 11 Ga X j ! X 1 1 1 ' . 1 X I X 5 Idaho.. I X ; . . . 1 X 1 X I---I ' ^ 1 X j X I 1 10 111..-. X X X X ' .X 1 X ' X I i * 1 X ‘ X ! X X X X 15 lud. . .... X 1 X X X i X X X 1 X ! X ; i’x* X X X 14 Iowa X X X X I X X X j ; I 1 1 ■ i X 1 1 X X X X X 14 Kans X I 1 I ! X X 1 X 1 X 1 ' X i 1 j i X X 1 X 1 1 X I X X X 16 X I 1 ' X 1 X 1 X 1 X X ) L..i i X 1 X 1 ,...j 1 X 1 ! * ' X X X X 1 17 La. X X J I X 1 3 Mahie 1 X , I j 1 ^ ' ... X 1 vi X X 1 X X :i 1 x‘| X ... I X 12 Md X ! ' X 1 X 1 X 1 ' X 1 X ' X X 1 i ^ X X X X X 14 Mass... z X ' X X ' 1 1 X Ki L..' X X 1 X 11 Mich. . X X 1 X 1 X X 1 ..1 X X X X X X 1 1 1 12 Minn.* X X 1 . ..] I X 1 I ' X X X X X X X 12 Miss X X X i 1 “ 1 X 1 X X 1 .--1 I 1 X X 1 1 6 Mo X X X X 1 X 1 X X 1 1-,. 1 X X X X X X 14 Mont X X X X X ll { ... j X X 1 1 X X X 1 n Nebr X X 1 X 1 1 1 » 1 1 X X X - • - 1 1 X ;::i lx' X 13 Nev X X X I 1 X X i 1 X i , X X I X X . 11 N. H X X X 1 1 « 1 ' X 1 1 ' i ! Ix 1... X X . 8 N. J X X 1 X X X i 1 X 1 1 X ' X 1 X X .. 1 L. X X 1 13 N. Mex X X 1 1 X X 1 1 1 ! I I ; I 1 " X :.:l 1:::' X ...• 8 N. Y X X 1 X 'i'l X 1 1 1 1 I’l'l 1 .;; X 1 ■ I-- X X i 12 N. r X ' 1 1 1 1 X ' 1 1 X X 1 1 ... X X X 8 N. Dak X X X X X X X' X X X 10 Ohio ^ . X X X 1 X X X X 1 X X X X X X X X 16 Okla X X X X I 1 . . . X X X I I X 11 Oreg X X I ; 1 . - . 1 X l‘l .\ X X X X X X X X X X 17 Pa. X 1 ' X 1 1 - - 1 X X X x> X X X X X X X X X 15 R. I X j X I I X I I 1 X X X X X 12 8. (* 1 1 1 • • ! 1 1 1 I X X X X 5 S. Dak X X X 1 X X X X X X X X X X 13 Tenn X 1 X X I X X X X X X I 12 Tex X 'f X x< ... X X X 6 Utah X X X i 1 . .. X 1 X I X X X 9 Vt X X 1 1 X X X I x’ X X ' X X X 12 Va....*. X X X X X X X 1 X X X X 11 Wash X X X X X X i X X X X X X X 13 W. Va X X X X X 1 ■ X X X X X X X X 13 Wis X X X .. . X X X r x| i::: X X X X X X X I X 17 Wyo X X X X X X X l‘ X X ^x X X X X X 16 Total.... 1 32 1 1 ^1 1 ^ 1 31 21 39 25j 8 36 1 29 15 L”* 11 16 j 38 j37 j 45 r- 1 Home and school visitor^ ^ « • From a’ study of. principal provisions of compulsory school .attendance laws, together with considerable various problems of nonatten,dance, one might expect sorpe definite conclusions as to what l^al provisions give the best results or are the most desirable. However, anyone who is familiar with the varying circumstances which affect the. degree of V COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANXE LAWS 61 success or failure of school attendance provisions will under- stand the hazards accompanying attempts to formulate any definite conclusions. Notwithstanding the difficulty of determining what provi- sions should be included in an efficient compulsory education law, the task ought not to be regarded insumiountablc. It is obvious that some attendance laws are in themselves better than others; and it is also obvious that nonattendance problems are more complex and difficult in some communities than in others. Tlie greatest need for an^effieiont attend- ance law’ is where nonattendance is most difficult to overcome. It is apparently axiomatic that certain features tend to raise w’hile others tend to lower*the efficiency of such laws a^ the standard of education wliich they embody. For exjmiple, it is logical to expect that: (1) A compulsory school attendance system which begins with cliildren 6 years of age is likely to secure more school attendance than a system which begins with cliildren 8 years of age. (2) A law which requires attendance until 17 or 18 ying low or fairly low standards; if certain ones are regarded as satisfactory others may be regarded as unsatis- factory. It is indeed interesting to contrast the varying standards found in compulsory attendance laws. In 30 States the compulsory school attendance laws apply to chil- dren under 8 years of age, but in only 2 of these to children under 7 years of age. Compulsory school attendance laws which require^t$nd- ance until '17 or 18 (e.xemptions under certain conditions) have been operating apparently satisfactorily in approxi- mately ^ dozen States, and 31 States require attendance until 16 years of age. On the other hand, 5 States still require attendance only until 14 years of age. Children who' are permitted to lea'^STscllDoI at 14 or 15 are as a rule deprived of the benefits of a high-school education and much of the training in the social sciences. Thirty-two States require 9 or more years of compulsory school attendance (1 1 States require 10 or. more years). This insures to those normally promoted one grade a year some Iiigh-school training. In contrast, 5 States still require only 7 years of school attendance or less. Nine States require full-time attendance for 9 months each year, and as many States provide for only 6 months or less compulsory school attendance annually. Most States require full or consecutive school attendance while some States require 80 or 100 days’ attendance annually. In 8 States it appears that children may not be e:^empted from school attendance on account of education unless they COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE LAWS 03 have completed the twelfth grade; while in 6 States it appears that children may be exempted under certain conditions upon completion of the seVenth grade. ' In 23 States the completion of the eighth grade is required for labor permits, while in 14 States it appears that the laws stipulate no more than a fifth grade education or they are silent on the subject. In some States it appears that the State school superin-, tendent or the State board of education is expressly empow- ered to supervise and enforce the administrutiop.cf school attendance laws. Among such States are Alal^pa, Con- necticut, Delaware, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, New Hampshire, and New York. Under the laws in many other States it is reasonable to suppose that school officials may exercise supervisory or administrative authority over school attendance. For example, many State laws vest State boards of education or State superintendents of public in- struction with authority to enforce the general laws relating to education, and in a few States it appears that State school officials may withhold the distribution or apportionment of State school funds for failure on the part of local school officials to carry out the provisions of the State school law. In a majority of the States there is little or no State or county supervision over school attendance or the administration of school attendance law's. Some implications . — Before compulsory attendfince laws were enacted or strictly enforced a parent wjvs^htirely at liberty to keep his child out of school for asjdng a time as he might choose without its being necessoj?^ for him to give a reason for the child’s absence, WJi^ there were n'o com- pulsory attendance laws a parenUc^ld keep his child at homo if he thought the school buil^mg was unsafe or unsanitary, or the teacher poorly prep^d for her work, or tk^course of study not adapted to the needs of his child. Today, such excuses are not accepted. The child is required to attend the school provided, no matter how inferior it may be. Parents, however, have the option of sending their child to a private school, but comparatively few parents are financially able to enroll their children in such schools. Moreover, it should never be necessary for them to do so because of a lack of public-school facilities. 64 COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE LAWS The enactment of compulsory attendance laws immedi- ately placed a responsibility upon the State and upon every school district wthin the State to provide the very best of school facilities. The upward extension of the compulsory attendance ages from 14 to 16 or 18 has also placed additional responsibilities upon the schools. Many of the children between 14 and 16 years of age who have not met the require- ments of the course of study and who arc overage for their grades would not be in school if they were not ^ompelfed to be. The schools are thus faced with the problem of caring in newer and better ways for such children. It is ob\nous that the State should not compel a child to attend school in a building that is unsafe or unsanitary, or a .school taught by an unqualified teacher, or a school that does not make provision for caring for the child who varies seriously from the normal type but who is not an in- stitutional case. Among such children ^ay be mentioned the hard-of-hearing, the partially seeing, the crippled, the speech defective, the mentally retarded, the mentally gifted, those of lowered vitality, and the socially maladjusted. For such, special t 3 rpes of instruction should be provided. In brief, the school system should accommodate itself to those compelled to attend school. As forcibly stated by Dr. Charles H. Judd:^‘ The school system which is unable or unwilling to accomniodnfe itself to the young people who are compelled by law to attend school is out of harmony with the general social order. I dare say others in this country have heard, as I have, secondary school teachers and principals complaining about certain pupils whom they describe in the most opprobrious ternjs — pupils who come into tlieir institutions as a result of compulsory school attendance laws but are unable to do the work required. I have heard these pupils described as “impossible.’/ I have heard it said tliat they are uninterested, tliat they disrupt the school, and that they render impossible the maintenance of standards ^f scholarship. What impresses me, when I hear such comments, is 'Pbe complacence with which members of the faculties of secondary schools throw off all responsibility of these pupils. It seems curious that any one who accepts a position, as a servant of the public/ on the “taff of a secondary school, should overlook the fact that ht is em- V> Judd, Charles H., Educatlou and the Oeneral Social Order, The North Centr^ Aaaocla tioq Quarterly, toL IX, July 1W34, pp. 31-32. T COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE L.\WS 65 ployed by society to solve the problem which confronted the State when it passed the compulsory school attendance taw. Another problem that has arisen because of the compul- soiy attendance laws is what shall be done to keep children of indigent parents in school. Obviously children cannot go to school ^\■ithout clothes, or even Avithout te.xtbooks. The problem has, however, been met to the e.xtent of authorizing boards of education to provide te.xtbooks and clothing for children of indigent {Mirents so that their children may attend school. One or two States provide that such financial assist- ance shall be given as wdll equal about what the child m»ht earn if he were working. Michigan, for example, projBes that if the services of a child, w^o is under duty to attend school, are absolutely required for support of himself or .parents the school district is authorized, in its discretion, to grant such relief as will enable the child to attend school.’ Another implication of the compulsorj^ attendance law that may be noted is that if all cliildren are to attend school, provision should be made for the transportation of those who live beyond a reasonable walking distance from school. In.general, the problems that have arisen as a result of the conipulsory attendance laws cannot be satisfactorily solved until the schools make better provisions than they now do to care for each and every type of child compelled to attend school. It may be that when such provision is made there vdll be less need for compulsory attendance laws or at least for fewer attendance officers, since the attractive power of the school may be s^ch that every child will want to be in attend- ance at least 2O0 days a year. ^ COMPUlioRY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE PBpVISIONS BY STATES The following digest shows for each State important legis- lative protfeions relating to attendance in tile regular day and continuation schools in force January 1, 1935: ALABAMA 1. CompuUory allendance age . — Between ages 7 and 16. 2. Minimum echool term reeuaVed.— No minimum term fixed by law. 3. Minimum attendance required . — Full term. 66 COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE LAWS er|c iBf 4. Exemptions, -r- (а) A chua whose physical or mental condition is such as to prevenjt or render inadvisable attendance at school or application to study. Before issuing such certificate of exemption, the super- intendent shall require a certificate from the county health officer in counties which have a health unit, and from a regularly licensed, practicing physician in counties which do not have a health unit, that suclfchild is physically or mentally incapaci- tated for school work. C (б) A child 14 years of age and upward, who haJ completed the course of study of the public schools of the State through the eighth grade as now constituted, (c) Where because of the distance a child resides from school and the lack of public transportation such child would be compelled to walk more than 2H miles to attend a public school. (d) Where the child is legally and regularly employed under the provisions of the law relating to child labor, and who holds a permit to work granted under the terms of said chUd labor law. 6. Age for admission. — Over 6 years of age before July 1 of that scholas- tic year. . ' 6. Age for labor permit. — Fourteen to sixteen. 7. Minimum education required for labor permit. — Eighth ghade. 8. Continuation school attendance.*^ — No provision. ARIZONA 1. Compulsory attendance age . — Eight to sixteen. 2. Minimum school term required. — Eight months. 3. Minimum attendance required, — Full term. 4. Exemptions. — (а) Completed grammar-school course. (б) Instruction at home by competent teacher in branches taught in common schools; or attendance at private or parochial school taught by competent teachers for full time public schools of the district are in session. (c) Because |)hy8ical or mental condition renders attendance inex- pedient or impracticable. (d) For Ireasona satisfactory to board, consisting of president of local board of trustee^, teacher of the child, and probation officer. (c) Children 14 to 16 lawfully employed and attending continua- tion school. (Attendance at continuation or part-time school is required for exemption only where such schools are provided.) (/) Sixteen years of age and employed with the consent of its parents at some lawful wage-earning occupation. 6. Age for admission. — Six to twenty-one. 6. Age for labor permit . — Fourteen to sixteen. ** Provisioos for oontiDuatlon school attendsnoe taken from State Compulsory Attendance Standards Affecting the Employment of Minors, U. 8. Department of the Intedor, Office of Education, Vocational Education, W'ashington, D. C COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE LAWS 67 7. Minimum education for labor permit. — Fifth grade. 8. Continuation school attendance. — Required of child between 14 and 16 regularly employed, for 5 hours per week, 150 hours per year, and between 8 a. m. and 6 p. m. Part-time schools must be established by districts in which there shall have been issued 15 employ raent certificates, unless district is exempted. AJl KANSAS 1. Compulsory attendance age. — Seven to sixteen. 2. Minimum school term required. — Six months. 3. Minimum attendance required. — One hundred consecutive days; full time if in session less than 100 days. Required to enter not later than 2 weeks after opening of session. 4. Exemptions . — ^ s (o) Children who have completed the common-school course of study, including the eighth grade as outlined by the commissioner of education. (t») Instruction in approved “jirivate or parochial school." (c) Children mentally or physically incapacitated to perform . school duties. (d) Children whose services arc needed to support widowed mothers. 5. Age for admission. — Six to twenty-one. 6. Age for labor permit . — Fourteen to sixteen. 7. Minimum education required for labor permit. — Fourth grade. 8. Continuation school attendance. — No provision. CALIFORNIA 1. Compulsory aUendance age. — Eight to sixteen. 2. Minimum sfbhool term required.— One hundred and seventy days. 3. Minimum attendance required. — Full term. • 4. Exemptions . — (а) Instruction in private full-time day school by capable teachers; provided that such schools teach in the English language and offer instruction in the branches of study required to be taught in public schools and provided that record of attendance of pupils be kept. \ (б) Instruction by private tutor, in study and recitation, forecast 3 hours a day for 160 days each calendar year, in brancl^ of study required to be taught in public schools; provided that such instruction be given in the English language and by person hold- ing a valid State credential for the grade taught and that the instruction shall be given between 8 a. m. and 4 p. m. ' > (c) Children (certified by licensed physician) whose physical or mental condition prevents or renders inadvisable school attend- ance or application of study. (d) Children residing more than 2 miles from school house by near- est traveled road; provided that such children shall lie exempted 68 COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE LAWS only upon WTitten approval of the superintendent of schools of the county; notice whereof shall be filed with the board of education of the school district. (e) Children between 14 and 16 who hold labor permits. 5. Aye for admission, — Six to twenty-one. ' G. Agefor labor permit. — Fourteen to sixteen if child is graduate of ele- mentary school.. 7. Minimum education required for labor permit, — Seventh grade, if child is 15 years of age; eighth grade if child is 14. 8. Continuation school attendance. — Required of child under 18 not sub- ject to day-school attendance law, and of child excused from regular school attendance on work certificate fgr 4 hours eacji week between 8 a. m. and 5 p. m., during regular school term, except: Child who has been graduated ffom 4-year high school; child physically or men- tally incapacitated; child who must render personal service to his dependents; any minor who would suffer if he were compelled to attend. Schools must be established in high-school di^^rict having high- school enrollment of 50 persons andd2 minor&> subject to continuation school attendance. COLORADO 1. Compulsory attendance age. — Eight to sixteen. 2. Minimum school term required, — Six months. 3. Minimum attendance required, — Full term; from 8 to 14 years of age may be 12 weeks (sec. 266). 4. Exemptions . — (a) Children over 14, if completed eighth grade or eligible to enter high school in district. (b) Instruction in private or parochial school for entire school year during which public schools are in session in district. Sufficient instruction in public-school branches at home by person qualified to teach; child so instructed shall be subject to same examination as other pupils in district. (c) Children whose ** bodily or mental condition does not p>ermit*' attendance at school, as certified by reputable physician. (d) Fourteen years of age and where child’s ‘‘help is necessary for its own or its parents’ support.” (e) Fourteen years of age and where for good cause shown it would be for the best interests of such child to be relieved from the provisions of this act.” if) Compulsory attendance requirements do not apply in districts where there are not sufficient accommodations in public schools to seat children, ¥ •5. Age of admission . — Six to twenty-one. 6. Agefor labor permit . — Fourteen to sixteen. 7. Minimum education required for labor permit. — Read and write (or attend day school one-half day per day or an evening 4 icbool), 8. Continuation school attendance. — No provision. 69 COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE LAWS CONNECTICUT 1. Compulsory altendance age. — Seven to sixteen. 2. Minimum school term rtquired. — One hundred and eighty days of actual school sessions. 3. Minimum attendance required.— Vu\l term. Exemptions . — (а) If 14 and lawfully employed and if school authorities^cloeiu education sufficient to warrant leaving school to work. ' * (б) Wiicre child receives approved instruction elsewhere (hiring hours and term of public pchool. (f) “Mental or physical condition is such us to remh r«its instruc- tion inexpedient or iinpracticuble.” (d) \Miere “child is destitute of clothing suitalile for attending school, and the parent or person having control of such child is unable to. provide such clothing.” 5. Age for admission. — Open to all over 6; school officials may adn'iit, to any school, children over 5 years of age. 6. Age for labor permit. — Fourteen to sixteen. 7. Minima^ education required for labor permit. — Completion of sixth grade or equivalent. (School authorities may require higher qualification.) 8. Continuation school attendance. — Required of child between 14 alid 16 having employment for 4 hours weekly during school year be- tween 8 a. m. and 6 p. m., unless he has completed the eighth grade or lias been excused by secretary or agent of the State boaW of education. DELAWARE 1. Compulsory attendance age. — Seven to seventeen (7 to 16 in Wilming- ton city). 2. Minimum school term required. — One hundred and sixty days. 3. A/inimun ot/enJance required.— Full terra. Children 7 to 14 must attend .160 days; children over 14 and not having Complete'S eighth grade must attend not less than 100 days. 4; Exemptions . — (а) Where satisfactory evidence is furnished to the proper public- school authorities *‘that such child is elsewhere receiving regular and thorough instruction during said minimum school year” In subjects prescribed for the elementary schools, and “in a manner suitable to children of the same age and stage of advancement.” (б) Fourteen years of age and completed eighth grade and “legally cmplo.ved.” (c) Where mental or phy'sical condition is such as to render in- struction inexpedient or impracticable. (d) “Cases of necessity and legal absence.” 6. Age for admission. — Six tb twenty -f>ne. 6. Age for labor permit . — Fourteen to sixteen. 7 ^: — ^ — n 70 COMPULSORY 8CWOOL ATTENDANCE LAWS 7. Minimum education required for labor ^permit, — Completion of eighth grade. 8. Continuation school attendance, — Establishment of continuation schools not compulsory. (Applicable only to Wilmington.) Re- quired for 4 hours a week for 36 weeks (20 hours weekly while temp<)rarily unemployed) of child betw^een 12 and 16 who has been granted employment certificate. Attendance required between 8 a. m. and 5 p. m. (8 a. m. to 12 noon on Saturday). Schools main- trfTned during full period when public schools are in session. District having 15 or more children between 12 and 16 years of age to whom employment certificates have been issued, must establish contin- uation school, unless released by the State board of vocational education. DISTRip^ OF COLUMBIA 1. Compulsory attendance age. — Seven to sixteen. 2. Minimum school term required, — Nine months (approximately). 3. Minimum attendance required , — Full term. - '• 4. Exemptions , — (а) Where instruction in private or parochial school, or private' instruction is deemed equivalent by board of education to the instruction given in the public sehoois. (б) Any child 14 years of age who has completed satisfactorily the JpT eighth grade or equivalent may be excused by superintendent, provided such child is actually, lawfully, and regulatly employed. (c) Excused if it is found upon examination that any child is “unable mentalljj^r physically to profit from attendance at school: Provided, however, that if such examination shows that such child may benefit from specialized instruction adapted to his -j needs, he shall attend upon such instructioni" (d) May be excused for reasons defined as valid by board of edu- cation. 5. Age for admission. — Six. If 6 by November 15, may en*ter first grade; if 5 by same date| may enter kindergarten. • 6. Age for labor ptrmii. — Fourteen to eighteen. 7. Minimum education required for labor permit. — Eighth grade if under 16. S. Continuation school altendanfe . — No provision. (» . ' FLORIDA 1. Compulsory attendance age. — Seven to sixteen. ^ 2. Minimum school term required. — Four months “few schools in the State have’Bo short a term.“ 3. Minimum attendance required. — “Substantially “ full term. 4. Exemptions . — (o) Any child who has satisfactorily completed the eij;hth grade or the equivalent acceptable t^the county sup^intendent. / r / 4 ) COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE LAWS 7 \ (b) Residence more than 2 miles for children 7 to 9 and more than 3 miles for children 10 to 16 from school and no free transporta- tion. (c) Instruction in an approved private scliool where record of attendance is kept. (d) Provided that child may be taught by parent or guardian or pri- vate tutor upon written authority from county superintendent. (The county superintendent is authorized to grant such per- mission only in cases of necessity.) Person receiving such in- struction must report to county school authorities fur c.xamina- tion twice each year; if such child fails to make satisfactory progress, authority for private instruction may be revoked. (e) Mentally or phj-sically incapacitated to perform school duties, proof .of such to be shown attendance officer. (/) Any child whose services are necessary for support or assistance of widowed mother or other dependent shown by affidavit and other proof to satisfaction of attendance officer. (g) Any child whose parent or guardian can make satisfactory proof that he or she is unable to provide necessary books and clothing, unless necessary books and clothing shall be furnished by other means. (h) “Any unusual case acceptable to the attendance officer.” (i) “Occasional nonattendance * * * amounting to not more , than 4 days, unexcused absence in any school month shall not render any parent or guardian ” liable to penalty. (j) Any child 14 projicrly employed and enrolled in a part-time school njay at the discretfon of board of education be exempted from regular school attendance. (Boards must exempt where Federal funds and corresponding State funds are available for salaries of teachers of part-time schools.) 6. *Age for admission. — Six to twenty-one. 6. Age for labor permit. — Fourteen to sixteen. 7. Minimum education required for labor permit. — Read and wiite, pro- ficiency in certain subjects required. 8. Continuation school attendance . — Required during regular employ- ' ment hours for 144 hours per school year of any child under 16 exempted from regular school attendance for any cause except physi- cal or mental disability or completion of eighth grade (attendance at public night school giving equivalent instruction accepted). Schools must be established wherever there are 15 such children exempted from regular school attendance at any school or schools 3 miles or less apart, aiid who reside or are employed within the at- 4 I t tendance area of such school or schools. GEORGIA 1. Comprdsory aiiendance age . — Eight to fourteen. 2. Minimum school term required . — Six months. ^ 3. Mifiimum attendance required . — Six monthar^ COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE LAWS ■■ ■ 7 ^ 4. Exemptions.^ (a) Completion of seventh grade. (h) Tein[)orarily excused where, “for good Masons, tlie sufficiency of which shall be determined by local boai^ of education. ’ (Boards, in granting excuses to children in larming districts, arc authorized to consider the seasons for agricultural labor and need of .such labor.) ^ (c) Attendance at “some other school giving instruction i:i ordinary branches of English education." (d) May be temporarily excused liy principal or teacher in cha^'^^• “because of bad weather, Bickuess, death in the child’s family, or other roasonatde cause." ’ ^ ^ * (e) Proiridcd, That no gi\ardian shall l)c compelled to send such chikl or children to school out of any other than the funds ^ belonging to the ward or wards." o. Age for admission. — Six to eighteen. ' \ 0. Age for labor permit. — Fourteen to sixteen. 7. Minimum education required for labor permit. — Ability to read and wxi,te simple sentences. 8. Continuation school attendance. — No provision. IDAHO 1. Compulsory attendance age. — Eight to eighteen. 2. Minimum school term required. — Seven months. ‘ 3. Minimum attendance required. — Full terni. 4. Exemptions . — (o)' Any child 15 having completed eighth grade or eligible to entc r , high school in di.strict. (6) Attendance for similar period at an approved i)rivate or parochial school. ^ (c) Any child 15 whose help Is necessary for its own or parents’ support or “where for good cause shown it would be for the ^ best interest of such child to be relieved from the provision of this article." (d) Where it is shown that “child’s bodily or mental condition - does not permit its attendance at'school." 5. Age for admission. — Six to twenty-one. • 6. Age for labor permit.' — Fourteen to sixteen. 7. Minimum education required for labor permit. — Proficiency in certain subjects, no grade specified. 8, Continuation school attendance. — No provision. 1 ILLINOIS 1. Compulsory attendance oye.— Seven to sixteen. 2. Minimum school term required.. — Eight months. 3. Minimum attendance required. — Full term. COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTEiy'DANCE LAWS 73 4. Exemptions, — (a) Instruction for a like period in the cletiu'ntary Ivranches in a private or parochial school. ^ (fc) Where child’s physical or mental condition rend^ liis or her attendance impracticable or inexpedient.. \ (c) Kxcused for temporary absence for cause by the i)rincipal or teacher of school which child attends. (d) Children over 14 years of age w ho are necessarily and lawfully employed during hours when public school is in se.ssion may be excused from attendance at school by county w t; ci ty superin- tendent on the recommendation of board of education of di.striet in w Inch such children reside. (e) Any child from 12 to 1 4 while attending confirmation clas.ses conducted not Jess than 5 months in year. 5., Age for admissiDn . — Six to twenty-one. 6. Age for labor permit. — Fourteen to sixteen. 7. Minimum education required for labor permit) — rCompletion ofTighth grade. / . 8. Continuation school attendance. — Rc(|uircd, whore schools are estab- ILshed, of child between 14 and 18 regularly and lawfully employed (employment includes scrytee or assistance at home) for 8 hours weekly between 8 a. m. and 6 p. m. on regular business days (except Saturday afternoons) for 36 weeks (or for 300 hours if attendance is confined to 3 moiiths) except qiinor who has completed a 4-ycar secondary course. Establishment of continuation schools is optional, not compulsory. INDIANA Compulsory attendance age. — ^Scyen to sixteen. Minimum^ school term required. — Six months, months.” Minimum attendance required. — Full tei^p. Exemptions . — • (o) Any child 14 years of age and employed on employment certi- ficate,* which cannot be obtained until completion of eighth grade. ^ Any child so exempted must return to school wiilin 6 days after the termination of the employment for which employ- ment certificate was issued. (6) Attendance for,similar time at “other school taught in the ^ English language which is open to the inspection of local and State attendance and school officers.” (c) “Any chUd found mentally or physically unfit for school, attendance.'* id) Upon request of parent, employment certificate issuing <*fficer may issue temporary permits foe causes other than employment. Age for admission. — Six to twenty-one. . • Age for labor permit. Fourt&n to sixteen; granted only when the labor of the child is necessary for the suppqrt of himself or his imme- diate family*. - ^ ^ , ' 127382«-35 A 1. 2 . 3. 4; ‘The practice is 8 « . 74 COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE LAWS 7, Minimum education required for labor ■permit . — Completion of eighth grade. ^ 8. Continuation school attendance. — Local boards of education or township trustees may require attendance at continuation school of child between 14 and 17 or between 14 and 18 not less than 4 hours ' orliiore than 8 hours' a 'R^ck between 8 a. m. and 5 p. m. during the scliool term. No provision requiring establishment of coptinuation school. *I0\YA 1 . 2 . 3. 4. 5 . 6 . 7. 8 . V 1: ' 2 , Compulsory attendance age. — ^ven to sixteen. Minimurti school term required. — Thirty-two weeks. Minimum aitnidaitce required, — Twenty-four consecutive school weeks each school year. The board may require attendance for full-time when school is in session. Exemptions . — (a) Those who have completed the eighth grade gr whose education qualifications are equivalent. (b) TV>86 w ho are over 14 and are regularly employed. (c) “Anyone who is excused for sufficient reason by judge at any * court of record,^* (d) “While attending religious services or receiving religious instruction.” te) Receiving instruction 4n approved private school for like period, or instruction by a competent teacher elsewhere than at school. (/) Any child physically^ or mentally unable to Attend school. ♦ Deaf ’• and^blind must attend State institution for such persons. (y) If school is more than 2 miles from child’s home, unless free transportation is furoished. Age for admission. — Five to twenty -one. Age for labor permit. — Fourteen tc^ixteen. Minimum education required for labor permit. — “Completed a course of study equivalent to 6 yearly grades in reading, spelling, English language, geography, and arithmetic.” Continuation schogl cXlendancs, — Required, where schools are estab- lished, of minofs between 14 and 16 not regularly attending full- time day 8ci\ool or not graduated fr^ an approved 4-year high school, for 8 hours weekly betweetr'8 a. m. and 6 p. m. Establish- ment of continuation school required in in^epertdent school districts situated in whole or ip part in any city having a population of 12,000 or over ir\whit;h there reside or are employed ISeuch children. Establishment in distficts in cities of less than 12,000 population , KANSAS attendance age. — Seven to sixteen. MinimumJ^chool ierqi required. — Eight months. Minimum- attendance required.-^Full ierai. ERIC 1 COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE LAWS J * 4: Exemptions . — (а) Child physically or mentally handicapped. (б) Completion of eighth grade.# 5. Age of admission . — Six to twenty-one. 6. Age of labor permit . — Fourteen to sixteen. 7. Minimum education required for labor permit . — Eighth grade. 8. Continuatidn school attendance . — *No provision. 75 KENTUCKY 1. Compulsory attendance age. — Seven to sixteen. 2. Minimum school term required,— ^Seven months. 3. Minimum attendance re^uiref^^Full term. 4. Exemptions . — . , (o) Graduation from an accredited or approv'ed high school. (b) Attcndatce regularly at private or parochial school approved by State board of education for a period each year equal to the term of thte public school and when reports of attendance of all children in such schools are submitted in the manner^equired of common schools. . • (c) Any child who is physically or mentally unfit for school attend- ance as certified by public health officef. (d) Any child 14 and lawfully ^mjilQyed 5. Age for admission. — Six to eighteen. 6. Age for labor permit. — Foufteen to sixteen. 7. Minimum education required for labor permit. — Completion of seventh grade if 15 years of age, eighth grade if 14 years of age. S. Continuation school attendance . — Required of child between 14 and 16 lawfully and steadily employed on employment certificate for not less than 4 or mor^ than 8 hours per week, between 8 a, m. and 5 p. m. (but not Saturday afternoon or Sunday), during public-school term, except child who has completed elementary school course. Estab- lishment of continuation schools is not compulsory. * LOUISIANA V • 1. Compulsory attendance age. — Seven to fourteen. 2. Minimum school term required. — Sevicn months. 3. Minimum attendance required. — One hundred and forty days; entire session if less than 140 days. 4. Exemptions. (The parjsh school board to be sole judge in all cases.) (а) Completion of ^;mentary course of study. (б) “Children menmlly or physically incapacitated to perform . school duties. (c) .“Children living more than 2H miles from a school of suitable grade and for whom free transportation is not fornished by the school board." - • (d) “Children for whom adequate school facilities have not been provided." (e) “Children whose services are needed to support widowed mothers." 4 . 76 COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE LAWS 5. Age for admiition. — Six to eighteen. 6. Age for labor permit. — Fourteen to sixteen. 7. Minimum education tequired for labor 'permit. — Orleans Parish re- quires sixth grade or 8 years school attendance; no amount Staje wide niiniiniim education expro.s.sly required. 8. Continuation school attendance. — Attendance may be required bv ordinance of city, town, or village of boys between 14 and 16 and girls between 14 and 18 who are employed and who have not com- ideted higf^scjiool. Instruction shall be given for 144 hours per year. Establi.shment of continuation schools not compulsory. Incorpo- rated cities, town.S, and villages inav establish such schools. V ^ MAINE 1. Compulsory attendance a^e. — Seven to seventeen. 2. Mmimum school term required. — Seven and one-half months. 3. ytinimum attendance required. — Full term. 4. Exemptions.— - (a) Sixteen years of age and can read and write legibly simple sentences in English language. (b) Fifteen years of age and has completed the eighth grade. (c) Attendance at private, school for a like period of time the public school is in session and whose course of study and methods of instruction have been approved by the State superintendent of schools. » ** (rf) Any child whose physical or mcatal condition makes it ‘‘inexpedient’* for him to attend. Z (e) Fifteen years of age and has permit to work jlunng school hours. / {/) May be excused for necessary absence. 6. Agefvr admission, — Five to twenty-one. 6. Age for labor permih— Fifteen, unless mentally unable to make reasonable progress in school, in which case work permit may be granted at 14 for nonhazardous occupations. 7. Minirttum education required for labor permit, — Completion'of eighth grade or equivalent. 8. Continuation school attendance — Attendance irf%iot compulsory but schodfe may be established for minors between ^4 and 18 engaged in industrial occupations w ho have not complet^ the elementary school course. Instruction shall cover 144 hours per year. Law' defines “continuation’* school as such school or class is cbnducted during regular working hours of person employed. No provision requiring establishment of such schools.* MARYLAND * a 1. Compulsory attendance age.-^Seven to sixteen, • • 2. Minimum school term required.— One hundred and eighty actual daya 3. - mimmum attendance required , — Full term. COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE U.AWS 4. Exemptions . — (a) Fourt^n and fifteen years of age, coinj)lcted the elemcMitary ^ school course (6 grades) and regularly and lawfully employed (Baltimore city). Fourteen^ and fifteen years and regularly and lawfully employed (23 countk^s), Since an employment certificate is issued to those only who have completed tlu^ elementary school course (7 grades in the counties^ those 14 and 15 years old who have not completed the course may he^ excused for regular and lawful employment in agriculture or at home in the 23 counties. (b) \\ here physical or mental condition renders instruction inexpedient or impractical. (c) TVIay be excused for “necessary and legal abseiice.” (d) Where weather is dangerous to safely of child when in trafisit to and from school. •(c) Special employment permits may he is.sued to children 14 years or older who are incapal)le of completing the elementary school course who secure employment. Such children are under supervision of the State board of labor and statistics until 18 yedrs of age. 5. Age for admission. — Six to twenty for colored ; 6 to 21 for white. 6. Age for labor permit . — Fourteen to sixteen. / 7. Minimum education required for labor permff.— Completion of ele- mentary schoo^ which means in Baltimore the sixth grade and in the counties the seventh grade. 8. Continuation school attendance. — Xo provision. MASSACHUSETTS 1. Compulsory attendance age.— Seven to sixteen. 2. Minimum school term required.— One hundred and sixty- days of elementary; 180 days high school actually in session. 3. Minimum attendance required, — Full term. 4 . Exemptions. — (a) Fourteen years of age and meets requirements for completion of sixth grade and is lawfully an^ regularrly employed. (b) fown superintendent may excuse child 14 years of age for profitable employment at home. (c) Where physical or mental condition is suAt* as to render at- tendance inexpedient or impracticable. (ci) Otherwise instructed in a manner approved in advance by the superintendent or the school committee; instruction may be in private school so approved. ^ («) Superintendent, or teachers authorized by him or by the school committee, may excuse cases of necessary absence for other causes not fexceeding 7 day sessions or 14 half-day sessions in any period of 6 months. b^^ge for admission . — Any age. ' • 8: Age for labor permit . — Fourteen to sixteen. r 78 COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE LAWS 7. Slimmum education required jor labor -permit. — Completion, of sixth grade. 8. Continuation school attendance. — Required of child between 14 and ■ 16 regularity employed on certificate, or temporarily unemployed, or excused for employment at home on home permit. Attendance recpiired 4 hours a week for employed children (20 hours a week if • unemployed) between 8 a. m. and 5 p. m. on school days. Con-*’ tinuation schools must be established wherever there are 200 or more minors under 16 who would be required to attend. Schools may be established elsewhere and, if so, attendance becomes compulsory. MICHIGA.N 1. Compuhory attendance age. — Seven to sixteen. 2. Minimum school term required. — Seven months. 3. Minimum attendance required. — Full term; three-fourths of term if schodl is maintainetj entire year. 4. Exemptions . — (а) Children in non-high-school districts who have completed the eighth grade or Who are entitled to eighth-grade diploma; if in high-school district, they must attend school until, 16, unless authorized to leave by local authorities. (б) Receiving regular instruction in private or parochial school in branches taught in public school. . (c) Children under 9 years of age an^ who' do not live within 2'4 miles by nearest traveled road of some public school, unless free transportation is furnished. {(I) Any child who is regularly employed as a page or messenger in either branch of the legislature. (c) Any child who is physically unable to attend 'schpol. if) Any child over 14 years of age who has completed the sixth grade and w'hose serviccs'are essential to the support of his parents may be excused by local school authorities, providing V thc work the?child is to do docs not require a labor permit; or if Wre child is 15 years of age and is granted a labor permit. ig) Children 12 to 14 while attending at confirmation classes, •which attendance is not to exceed 5. months in any year. 5. Age for admission. — Five to twenty. . 6. Age for labor permit. — Fifteen to eighteen. 7. Minimum education required for labor permit. — Completion of sixth grade. 8. Continuation school attendance. — Required of unmarried minors under 17 not attending full-time school, 8 hours a week, except child who has completed 2 years of high school; child- who would be deprived of wages essential for own or family support and child physically incapacitated or mentally unable to pursue the school work. Schools must be established in districts with a population of 6,000 or more having 50 children eligible for attendance. Schools may be established in other districts. COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE LAWS MINNESOTA 79 1. Compulsory attendance age. — Eight to sixteen. 2. Minimum school term required. — Seven motiths. 3. Minimum attendance required.^FuU term; provided that no child shall be required to attend more than 10 months. 4. Exemptions . — , * • (a) Any child who has completed the eighth grade may be excused' by the local schodl board. (6) Child attending private or other school for similar period, provided all the common branches are taught in the English language by teacher or teachers qualified. (c) District board of education may excuse any child who.se bqdilv or mental condition is such as to prevent attendance at school with profit. ((/) May be excused not more than 3 hours per week to attend religious instruction. (c) “That there is no public school withiii^ reasonable distance of his [child's] residence, or that conditions of weather and travel make it impossible for the child to attend; provided, first, that any child 14 years of age or over, whose h^p may be required in any permitted occupation in or about the home of his parent or guardian may be excused from attendance between April 1 and Novepiber 1 in any year; but this proviso shall not apply to any city of the first and second class; provided, second, that nothing in this act shall be construed to prevent a child from being absent from school on such days as said child attends upon instruction according to the ordinances of some church.” 6. Age for admission. — Five to tw'enty-one; school boards may exclude children under 6. 6. Age for labor permit. — Fourteen to sixteen. 7. Minimum education required for labor permit. — Completion of common-scheof Course or its equivalent in private school. 8. Contiituation school attendance. — No provision. MlSsfesiPPI 1. Compulsory attendance age. — Seyen seventeen. 2.. Minimum school term required. — Four months. ' 3. Minimum attendance required. — Eighty days; full terra in city districts. 4. Exemptions . — . » .' * , (o) Completion of grammar-school course oc equivalent. (6) Instruction in “private, denominational, or parochial day Bchooniji competent instructor for Mke p>eriod.’’ \ (c) ^here therts are “ no schools of suitable grade within 2% miles, by the nearest traveled road, * ♦ • unless frce,transporta- tion is furnished.” (d) That “the trustees of any school, with the approval of thd county superintendent of education, shall have the authority in 80 COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE LAWS the exercise of their discretion to permit the temporary absence of children from school in extreme cases of emergency/’ (e) All children who are mentally and physically incapacitated^^r school work. (/) “All counties that have heretofore voted from under *the ^ provisions of the compulsory schooF law shall be exempt from the provisions of this chapter/’ These counties are Franklin, ^ JcfTcrson, Claiborne, and Wilkinson. 5. Age for admission. — Five to twenty-one. i\. Age for labor permit. — Not specifically mentioned. 7. ^linimum education required for labor permit. — None mentioned. 8. Continuation school attendance. — No provision. MISSOURI Compulsory attendance age. — Seven to 'sixteen. Minimum school term required. — Eight months. Minimum attendance required. — Full term. Exemptions . — ♦ (а) Completion of common-school course or equivalent and has received a certificate of graduation therefrom, (б) Keceiving instruction In a private, parochial, or parish school for like period; or regular daily instruction at home as approved by a court of competent jurisdiction. (c) Any child who is mentally or physically incapacitated to attend school. ((f) Any child who is 14 years of age and is regularly^ and lawfully for at least 6 hours each day in some useful employment or service. 5. Age for admission. — Six to twenty. 6. Age for labor permit. — Fourteen to sixteen. 7. Minimum education required for labor permit . — Cctopletion of sixth grade. ^ 8. Continuation, school attendance. — Required of child under 16 law- fully engaged- in regular employment and of minors under 18 who have not completed the elementary school course and who ire not attending regular day school, for not less than 4 hours per week between 8^. m. and 5 p. m. for a period not less than the regular school term. Schools must be established in districts wherein there are in forc^ 25 employment certificates for children-linder 16, Es- tablishment of school may be waived by SSkte board of vocational education. ^ ^ ‘ ‘ MONTANA ■\ * 1, Compulsory attendartce age.— Eight to sixteen. . 2. Minimum school term required . — Nine months In first- and second- class districts p 4 months in third-class districts. (The constitution requires 6 months of school in any district before that district cah qualtfy for % share in the apportionment-oHfctate school funds.) I I COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE LAWS 81 5. 6 . 7. 3. Minimum attendance required. — Full term. 4. Exemptions . — ^ (а) Chiidren 14 years of age or over who have completed the eighth grade. (б) Children 14 years of age whose wa^cs are ncce.ssary to the support of the family. (c) Attending for a like period at a private or iiarocliial school, or receiving instruction at home in required brandies bv competent teacher. * , (d) Any child whose bodily or mental condition does not permit attendance. (e) If in the judgment of th^ county suiK-rintendent the distance of the school makes attendance an undue hardship. Age for admission. — Six to twenty-one. Age for labor permit.— Fourteen to si.xteen. Minimum education required for labor permit. — Completion of eiglitli grade, but if it is'shown that the wages of such child are necessary to the support of the family of such child, ttio principal or superin- tendent of schools may, upon production of satisfactory evidence of such necessity, issue a certificate permitting emplovrnent of such child evert though the child may not ha%e completed the eighth grade. 8. Continuation school attendance . — Attendance is not compulsory'" but continuation schools may be established in any high-school district for pupils between 14 and 21 years who have left regular full-time day school for work. Establishment of continuation school not compulsory, but board of trustees of any high school inav establish such school. NEBRASKA f 1. CoTtipuLsoTy aiicTidcLTicc clqc * — Seven to sixteen. 2. Minimum schoHl term required. — Six months in districts with leSs than 10 pupils; 9 months in districts with 10 or more pupils. 3. Minimum attendance required.— Six months; in city school districts full-term attendance is required. * 4. Exemptions. — ■ (a) Any child who has graduated from high school,^^ no high school is maintained in the district, has graduated from the school maintained in the district or from a school of equal grade. erintendent shall determine that a child*s residence is located St such distance from public s^Ejhool as to render attendance impracticable or unsafe. \ (/) Any “student** betw^n 14 and 18 years of age who- has com- pleted the ejghth grade may be excused from full-time school attendance and be permitted to enter proper employment or • apprenticeship, by authority of the board of trustees. 5. Age for admission, — Any age. 6. Age for labor permit, — Fourteer\ to eighteen. 7. Minimum education required for labor permit. — None mentioned. 8. Continuation school attendance. — Required of employed children between 14 and 18 for 4 hours a week between 8 a. m. and 6 p. m. during tublic-school term, except child who has completed 12 grades of the grade and high-school course;, child who has comjjleted the eighth grade and attendance would endanger the security of employ- ment in a highly desirable and respectable position; child who has completed eighth grade and is bound to an apprenticeship under a satisfactory contract; 'child who works at such distance from school as to make attendance impossible or impracticable; and child physi- cally or mentally incapacitated. Establishment of continuation school ' is ftiquifed by districts in which 15 children between 14 and 18 arc employed or reside unless district is released by State board for vocational education. • .. . ^ % 83 COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTEXDANCE LAWS % ♦. NEW HAMPSHIRE » ♦f.' L Com^ilwri/ attendance af/e.— Eight to sixteen. 2. Minimum school term required. — Nine months. 3. Minimum attendance required. — Full term. 4. Exemptions. — . (a) Any'chiid more than 14 years of age who has completed tlie elementary scliool course. (6) Any child who has attended an ai)proved private school fur period equal to that of public school. (c) Where ‘‘physical or mental condition is such as to prevent his attendance or to make it undesirablc.^i (d) May be excused for part of-sessioii on stated days to r(‘ceive instruction in music. ‘ ’ (e) Fourteen years of age and excused by coininiji,si(mer of educa- tion “for such period, as seems l>est for the iiiterest of the child” on ground that his “Welfare'’ will he best served hy witlidrawal from school. i _ 6. Age for admission. — Five^ to twenty-one. ' 6. - Age for labor permit. — Fourteen to-sixteen. 7. Mini^num education required for labor permit. — Read and write simple sentences in English. 8. Continuation school altcndq.nc €. — No provision. rljEW JERSEY / 1. Compulsory attendance age. — Seven to sixteen, 2. Minimum school term required. — Nine months. 3. Minimum attendance required. — Full term? • 4. Exemptions . — (а) Where a child receives equivalent instruction elsew'here than at school. ■ (б) Any child w'ho is above 14 and has completed a course of study" "equivalent to 5 yearly grades, and has been granted an age and schooling certificate and is regularly and lawfully employed in some useful occupation. » (c) Where it is shown that the mental or bodily condition of the child is such as to prevent attendance at school. 5. Age for admission. — Five to twenty. 6. Age for labor ^rmif '—FoxiTi^n to sixteen. 7. Minimum education required for labor permiL-^Eiglith grade if 14 years old, or sixth grade if 15 years old. 8. Continuation school attendance. — Required of child between 14 and 16 rt%ularly and lawfully employed on certificate, for 6 hours a week for 36 weeks a year; and of cWld between 14 and 16 tt'injwrarily unemployed, for 20 hours per week. Hours of attendance ^{lust -bo regular on school days between 8 a. m. tfnd 5 p. m. Establishment of continuation school required in any school district having 20 employed children between 14 and 16 to whbm certificates have been issued. 84 COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE LAWS NEW MEXICO # 1. Compulsory altendance nge. — Six to 60veiL^*en. 2. Minimum school term required. — Sevoinuonths. Minimum aUendonce required. — Full tcmi." , A 4. Exemptions . — i • ». (a) Child attending approved private or denominational echoi^l for a like period. (6) Any cliild residing more than 3 miles from i)iiblic school and no free transportation furnished”. (c) Any child physically or mentally unfit. (d) Any child 14 arid excused by i.s.suancc of einplovment certifi- cate. '5. dpe /or admission.— Five to twenty-one. ' ' 0. Age for labor permit. — Fourteen to sixteen. , 7. Minimum education required for labor permits. — None mentioned. 8. Continuation school attendaricc. — Rccpiired of child between 14 and 16 to^whoin feinployinent certificate has been issued for 5 hours a week and not lesa than 1 50 hours per year between 8 a. in. and 6 p. in. Continuation schools must be established by districts in which there have been issued 15 employment certificates to children between 14 and IG unless di.strict is relea.sed froin c-itablishment by State super- intendent of public instruction. ,} M:W YOIIK 1. Compulsory attendance aj/e.— Seven to sixteen in all districts'; unffi 17 where continuation schools are provided. 2. Minimum school term required.~Ouc hundred and ninety days, in- cluding legal holidays. 3. Minimum attendance required . — Full term. 4. Exemptions . — (а) Any child who is not in proper physical or mental condition to attend school. (б) Child receiving instruction in the English language in public-* » school subjects in approved private or parochial school for like period; or receiving instruction elsewhere, equivalent to that given in the public school. (c) Fourteen years of age and regularly and lawfully employed. Age for admission.— VWe to twenty-one. Age for labor permit . — Fourteen to seventeen. Minimum education required for labor permit . — Completion of eighth grade if child is 14 years of age; completion of sixth grade if child is 15 years of age. 8. Continuation school attendance. — Required of child between 14 and 17 not attefiding day school or who is regularly and lawfully em- ployed in cities of 20,000 or more and in schodkdistricts having 200 or more employed minors under 17, except high-school graduate; minor physically or mentally incapacitated. Attendance required — _fpr not less than 4 or more than 8 hours per week (20 if temporarily unemployed) between 8 a. m. and 5 p. m. (on Saturdays between 8 5. 6 . 7. COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTEN-DANCE LAWS 85 a. m. and 12 noon). Coiitinuatfon school must be established in cities and school districts in which attendance is recjuirod as abovQ specified, dther places may establish such schools and may require attendance. . NORTH CAKOLLNA 1. Compulsory attendance age —Between the ages of 7 and 14. 2. Minimum school term required. — Length of term not slated. 3. Minimum attendance required. — Full term. 4 . ' Exf m pi ions . — (a) Attendance at ai)proved private school for like p(Tiod is acceptable in lieu of public-school atteiulance. (This is not a statutory pnjvisidn, but a State board ruling.) (b) The principal, superiTitendent, or teacher in cliargc shall iiave the right to excuse any child from temporary attendance on account of sickness or distance of residence fmm school, or other unavt)i(iable cause which does not constitute truancy as defined by the State l)oard of education. j " (c) ^‘The board shall prcRcribc what sliall constitute truancy, what causes may constitute legitimate excuses for temporafy nonattendance due to physical or mental inal)ility to attend, and under what circurnstajiccs teachers, principals, or superin- tendents may excuse pupils for nonattendance due to immediate demands of the farm or the home in certain seasons of the year in the several sections of the State.'* 6. Age for admission , — Six to twenty-one. 6. Age for labor permit. — ’Fourteen to fifteen, inclusive. 7. Minimum education required for labor permit. — No educational re- quirements mentioned, but employment certificate is to be issued ^ “under such conditions’* as child \velfare commission may i)rcscribe. The^hours of labor are subject to tlie following education restrictions: Under fourth grade, 8 hours per day; above fourth grade, 10 hours pen day. 8. Continuation school attendance. — No provision, NORTH DAKOTA 1. f^ompulsory attendance age. — SevenTo seventeen. 2. Minimum school term required. — Seven months. 3. Minimum attendance required, — Full term. 4. Exemptions . — (a) Completion of eighth grade. (fr) Instruction in private or paroddal school approved by the coointy superintendent. (c) If child is in such physical or mental condition as to render attendance inexpedient or impracticable. ^ (d) If child is actually necessary to the support of the family as determined by the State's attorney, subject to api>cal. * (c) May excused under certain conditions on account of dis- tance from school. 86 COMPUI^ORY. SCHOOL ATTENDANCE LAWS 5. Age for admission. — Six to twenty-one. 6. Age for labor 'permit. — Fourteen to sixteen. ^ 7. NIinxmum education required for labor per rm7. -^Shall have com- pleted eighth grade or attended school for 9 years, excluding kinder- , garten. . * ,, 8. Continuation school attendance. — No provision. t ^ OHIO 1. Compulsorg attendance age.-^Six to eighteen. 2. Minimum school term required . — Eight months. 3. Minimum-attendance required. — Full term, (Not less than 32 weeks per school year.) ^ 4. Exemptions . — (а) Graduate of first-class high school, , ^ (б) Receiving similar instruction for like period'ahhome by person qualified to teach subjects taught in public school or in apiTrovcd private^or parochial school. Instructions elsewhere than in public school must be equivalent to that given to children of like age and advancement, and for Equivalent number of hours as ^fiven fn public school. , ^ (c) “Upon satisfactory showing that the bodily, or mental con- dition of the child does not permit of its attendance at school. “ (d) Any minor 16 years of age and employed on age an4 schooling certificate. (Must continue in employment or attend school, unless high-school graduate.) (e) Local boards of education may by resolution change age limits to 7 to 18 years. (/) A child may not be required to attend high school more than 4 miles from his or her residence unless transportation is fur- nished. (Attorney general’s opinion.) 6. Age for admission . — Six to twenty-one. 6. Age for labor permit . — Sixteen to eighteen. 7 . M inimum education required for labor permit. — Completion of seventh grade. 8. ContinufLtion school attendance. — Required of employed minor between 16 and 18 for not leq^han 4 hours per week while in session * and not less than 144 hours ]||r year between 7 a. im and 6 p. mT on school days, except child who would be exempt from fuU-timE school attendance for causes other than employment.i Establish- ment of continuation school, not mandatory, but if established minor must attend. OKLAHOMA 1. Compulsory attendance age. — ;Eight to eighteen. 2. Minimum school term required . — Three months. 3. Minimum attendance required. — Tw^o-thirds of term. COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE LAWS 87 4. ExempHona . — (a) If prevented by mental. or physical disability. i (b) Any child 16 years of age or mere and regularly and law-fully employed and having completed the eighth grade or equivalent. ♦ (c) Any child J6‘;^ar8 of age or more and having completed the full course of instrilVtion provided by the public schools of the district 'where he resides. . (d) Attendance at appro vp^l “private or other schools’’ for a like period. 5. Affe for admission. — Six to twenty-one. 6. Age for labor permit. — Fourteen to sixteen. 7. Minimum education required for labor permit. — Can read and write, br child shall have attended some school during the year preceding employment for time attendance is required under the law. 8. Continuation school attendance. — Required of employed minor be- tween 16 ancf 18,whenevec part-time or continuation 6chool is es- tablished in district in w*hich minor is employed, for 144 hours per year, except minor who hj^s cohipleted common-school course plus 2 years of high school. Continuation ^hool must be establislied in district where 20 minors between 16 and 18 are employed- % OEIEGON npulsory attendance age.^i^.Between the ages of ,8 and 16.‘* 2. Minimum school term required.— Ona hundred, and sixty days, exclusive of holidays, unless specific permission of the county dis- trict boundary board is given for a lessruumber of days. 3. Minimum attendant regiitred.-rrFull term. • ' 4. Exemptions . — . ' . • ‘ (а) ChildmrWhes &re “ being taught for a like period of time In a privatSBor parochial scho^such branches as are usually taught’* in the public schools. ■ ■ . " (б) Children who are receiving instruetion for a like period bf time by the parent or private teacher upoii wr|ttbn perraiMipn .of .the county superintendent of schools in subjeots usiiajly^^ught in the public schools. ^ • (c) Children who have already acquired “the ordinary branches of learning offered in the first 8 grades’.” (d) Children Who are “physically unable to attend school.” (e) Children under 10 years bf,age who reside more than 1 % miles from school and children over 10.,year8 of age who reside more than 3 miles from public school, unless transportation is fiir- * nished. (f) Fourteen years old, completed grammar grades and lawfully * . employed, and no part-time school provided. * “ ‘T^e act auihoritlng the creation of parenlal schopls In dtatrlcla with 20.000 (Portland school district only ) or more children of achool age (acta of 1017, ch. 242) . by deflniog an habitual truant to be "A child between 7 and 16 years of age who wUfuUy and'babllualJy absents himself 'from school Vapparently lowers this age from 8 to 7 yean. •• / ^ COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE LAWS May be excused, on application of parents or guardian, for a period not to exceed 120 minutes per week *Ho attend week-day schools giving Instruction in religion, 5. Age for admission . — Six to twenty-one. * ' >• 6. Age for labor permit . — Fourteen to eighteen. 7. Minimum education required for labor board permit . — Can read and write simple sentences; is familiar with the fundamental operations of arithmetic lo and including fractions; and attended school not less than 160 days during school year j)rcvious to arriving at the age of 8. Continuation school attendance . — Required of employed chilckbetween 16 and 18 for not less than 6 hours a week or 180 hours a year between 8 a. m. and 6 p. m., except child who has completed the eighth grade; child who is attending an evening school for an equivalent time. Contin\iation school to be established by school district in which there reside or are employed, or both, 15 employed children between 14 and 18, unless district is excused by the State superintendent of public instruction. 1. Compulsory attendance age. — Eight to sixteen. 2. Minimum school term required. — One hundred and sixty days; dis- tricts having a total population of 6,000 or more, 180 days; all liigh schools, 180 days. 3. Minimum attendance required. — Full term. 4. Exemptions . — (a) Any child who is 14 or more, '‘has completed a course of study equivalent to 6 yearly grades of public school’^ is regularly employed, and whose employer holds an employment certificate for him. / (b) Attends for like time an approved private school and receives instruction equivalent to that given in public schools. Instruc- tion in the required subjects must be given in the English langu^e. (c) Receives regular daily instruction given in the English language for like time by a properly qualified private tutor, if satisfactory to local superintendent*. (d) Has been excused "on ac(?ount of any mental, physical', or other* urgent reasons" by board of school directors. (e) Lives 2 miles or more from the nearest public school, by the nearest traveled road, unless free transportation is furiMshed. if) Is 14 or more and is engaged in farm work, or domestic service in a private home on permit issued by school board or designated school official. The State department requires that such child must have "completed a course of study equivalent to 6 yearly grades of the public schools." 6. Age for admission. — Six to twenty-one. Age for labor permit, — Fourteen to sixteen. 14 veers. PENNSYLVANIA « \ COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE LAWS 89 7. Minimum education required for labor permit . — Completion of a course of study equivalent to 6 yearly grades of the public school. 8. Continuation school attendance. — Required of employed child between 14 and^e for the equivalent of not less than 8 hours a week between _8 a. m. and -5 p. m. on school days. RHODE ISLAND 1. ' Compulsory attendance age. — Seven to sixteen. 2. Minimum school term required. — One hundred and eighty actual days. 3. Minimum attendance required. — Full term. 4. Exemptions . — (а) Fif^en years of age and lawfully and regularly employed. (б) Those excluded “by virtue of some general law' or regulation.” (c) Any child whose physical or mental condition is such as to render attendance inexpedient or impracticable. (d) Attending private day school, or private instruction, approved « by the school committee of the’ city or town. 6. Age for admission. — None stated. 6. Age for labor permit. — Fifteen to sixteen. 7. Minimum education required for labor permit. — Completion of eighth grade or attendance at school 8 years. 8. Continuation school attendance. — No provision. SOUTH CAROLINA 1. Compulsory attendance age. — Eight to fourteen. 2. Minimum school term required. — Seven months, except in districts where school tax is less than 8 mills and monthly attendance is less than 15, in which case 3 months are required. 3. Minimum attendance required.— Eighty days. (District may require , attendance term.) . , 4. Exemptions . — j (o) Any child Attending an approved private or parochial school for like period. (6) Any child who receives similar instruction for a like period . from a competent tutor, subject to the approval of the county superintepdent. (c) Any “child whose physical, mental, or moral condition unhts it for attendance.” id) For “providential cause or causes, or to such cause or causes as would seriously endanger the health of child.” Attendance officer may, in his discretion, grant excuses. (c) “In case of a widowed mother or of a crippled father any child above 12 years of age whose labor may be necessary for the support, in whole or in part, of any person, may be excused.” if) Any child living more than 2)4 miles (2 miles if under 12 years of age) from any public, private, or parochial school; provided, that any pupil living within 1 mile of any regular route of a school wagon may not claim exemption. U7383*-aa 7 90 COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE LAWS 5. Age J or admission , — Six to twenty-one. 6. Age for labor permit, — Fourteen to sixteen. 7. Minimum education required for labor permit. — None stated. 8. Continuation school attendance . — No provision. SOUTH DAKOTA CompuLsory attendance age, — Eight to seventeen. ' 2. Minimum school term required, — Eight months. 3. Minimum attendance required.— Full term. 4. Exemptions . — (а) Completion of eighth grade or equivalent. (б) Physical or mental condition such as to render attendance unsafe, impracticable, or h^rmfal to himsetf or others. (c) Serious illness in immediate family, making child’s presence at home an actual necessity or his presence in school a menace to the health of other pupils. (d) Attendance at an approved private school for a like period. (e) Otherwise instructed by competent person for a like period in • public-school branches; provided, that such instruction be given entirely in the English language. (/) Between April *1 and November 1, should there exist an ex- treme need for child’s assistance at home, he may be excused from attendance for a time not to exceed 40 school days; pro- vided that such child has completed the sixth grade or its equiv- alent. (g) May be excused for 1 hour per week to attend religious in- struction conducted by some church or churches. (A) All applications for excuse from school attendance must be in wTiting. 6. Age for admission. — Six to twenty-one. «6. Age for labor permit, — Fourteen to sixteen. 7. Minimum education required for labor permit, — Read and write. 8. Continuation school attendance. — No provision. TENNESSEE 1. Compulsory attendance age, — Seven to sixteen. 2. Minimum school term required . — Eight months. 3. Minimum attendance required. — Full term. 4. Exemptions , — (a) Completion of eighth grade and holds a certificate of promotion to high school. ' * (6) .Mentally or physically incapacitated to attend school. (c) Where school is more than 3 miles from child's residence, unless free transportation is provided. (d) Attendance for like period at approved private or parochial school. _ ' COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANXE LAWS 91 (e) Where parent or Ruardian h not able, through extreme desti- tution, to provide clothing for child to attend school. if) Fourteen years old, literate and regularly and lawfully em- ployed. 5. Age for admission . — Six or over. 6. Age for labor permit.— Vourtcou to sixteen. 7. Minimum education required for labor permit. — Not stated. (To read and write implied.) 8. Continuation school attendance. — Required of- child between 14 and 16 to whom employment certificate has been issued. Continuation school or cla.sses to be in session for 15 hours a week between 8 a. m, and 6 p. ni. during the weeks in which other public schools are main- tained. Kstablishnicnt of continuation school not compulsory. . • • TE.XAS 1. Compulsory attendance age.— Eight to fourteen. (Seven to sixteen, inclusive, after May 6, 1935.) 2. Minimum school term Constitution requires that the legislature provide 6 months, but this requirement has not been met by the legislature. 3. Minimum attendance required. — One-hundred days. 4. Exemptions . — (а) Attehdance for a like period at approved private or parochial school which gives -instruction in all subjects in the English language and which shall include in its course a study of good citizenship. " • (б) Physically or mentally incapacitated. (c) Where child lives more than 2^ miles by direct and traveled road from nearest public school and no free transportation provided. (d) Twelv’e years old, completed 8ev’’enth^grade, and services necessary to support parent or others landing in parental relation to the child. 6. Age for admission. — Six to twenty-one. (School trustees may admit pupils under or over scholastic age. W^here kindergarten schools are provided, children may be admitted at the age of 5.) 6. Age for labor permit. — Twelve to fourteen. 7. Minimum education required for labor permit— Completion of fifth grade: -8. Continuation school attendance. — No provision. UTAJi 1. Compulsory attendance age. — Eight to eighteen. 2. Minimum school term required. — Five months. 3. Minimum aUendance required.— Twenty weeks, 10 of which shall be consecutivej 30 weeks in first- and second-class cities, 10 of which must be consecutive; 30 weeks for par^time school students, and all between 16 and 18 years of age who have not been excused to enter employment. COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE LAWS 92 . 4 - Exemptions . — (а) WTierc child receives instruction at home in required branches for same length of time as /equired to be taught in district school. (б) Any child who ^‘has already acquired the branches of learning taught in the district schools.’’ (c) Where physical or mental condition is such as to render attendance inexpedient or impracticable. (d) Where no school is trflight within 2^2 miles of child’s residence or employment by nearest .road, unless free transportation is furnished. (e) “That the services of such child are necessary to the support of a mother or an invalid father.” (/) Instruction for like period in approved private school. 6. Aqe for' admission. — Six to eighteen. 6. Agirfbr labor permit. — Fourteen to eighteen, if eighth-grade graduate, otherwise 16 to 18. 7. Minimum education required for labor permit. — None mentioned. S. Continuation school attendance . — Attendance required of mi^or under 18 legally employed, for at least 144 hours a year (classed to be ifi session 4 hours a week between 8 a. m. and 6 p. m.), except child for whom adequate opportunities for education are provided in "connection with his employment; child who is tai/ght at home for required number of hours; and child who w’ould be exempted from regular day school attendance for causes other than employment. Board of education in any district in which there shall reside or be . employed not less than 15 employed minors is required to establish a continuation school unless excused by the Stat^ department of vocational education. VERMONT 1 . Compulsory attendance age. — Eight to sixteen. 2. Minimum school term required. — Thirty-four weeks for elementary schools; 36 weeks for high schools. 3. Minimum attendance required. — Full term, if session is more than 170 days; local school superintendent may excuse any child from attending more than that period. 4 . Exemptions . — (а) Any child who has Mtopletcd the elementary school course or the rural school coursd and the first 2 years of jupior or senior high-school course. ^ (б) If 16 years old, havySg completed the work required in the rural school course^ ahd whose “services are needed for the support of those dependent upon him, or for any other suflBcient reason”, may be excused by superintendent. ^ (c) Mentally or physically unable to attend school. (d) Any child who “is otherwise being furnished with the same education,” COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE LAWS 93 (e) May be excused for a 'definite time not to exceed 10 consecu- tive school days in cases of “emcrKcncies or for absence from town.” 5. Age for admission.— Six to eighteen. However, “a person who has become 18 years of age shall not be deprived of public-school advantages on account of age.” 6. Age for labor permit. — Fourteen to sixteen. 7. Mtm'mum education required for labor permit. — Completion of elementary school course. (May not be employed in hotel, billiard or po^ room, or bowling alley, or in delivering messages, or in rail- roading or manufacturing, except during vacation or before and after school, unless having completed elepientary school and the first 2 years of junior high-school cour.se.) 8. CojUinuation school attendance . — No provisitm. VIRGINIA 1. Compulsory attendance age. — Seven to fifteen. 2. Minimum school term required . — Eight months. 3. Minimum attendance required. — Full term. 4. Exemptions . — (o) Any child who has completed th^ elementary school epurse ♦ and who is regularly and lawfully employed. (6) Any child who lives more than 2 miles by the nearest traveled road from a public sqjmol, unless public transportation is pro- vided within,! mile of waH^ing distance from the place where such child lives. (c) Child receiving instruction for a like period in a private denom- ' inational or parochial school, or in a home by a tutor or other teacher. (d) Any child who is physically or mentally incapacitated for the work of the schools. 5. Age for admission. — Six to twenty. 6. Age for labor permit. — Fourteen to sixteen. 7. Minimum education required for labor permit.— Hone mentioned. 8. Continuation school attendance . — No provision. WASHINGTO.N- 1. Compulsory attendance age . — Eight to sixteen. 2. Minimum school term required. — Six niontlw; 8 months in first-ijlass districts. ^ 3. Minimum altendanee required. — Full term. . 4. Exemptions . — (а) Attendance »t an approved private or parochial school for the same length of time. (б) Any child whose physical or mental condition is such as to render child unable to attend. (c) Any child who “has already attained a reasonable proficiency in the branches required by law to be taught in the first eight grade^of the public schools.” ' / 94 COMPULSORY SCHOOI^ ATTENDANCE LAWS (d) For “some other' suflBcient reason.” («) Fifteen years of age and “the needs of the family oi^the welfare of such minor require” that he be regularly employed. U) Fourteen years of age, completed the eighth grade, or in the judgment of the superintendent cannot proStably pursue further regular school work, may be excused to enter employment. (a) “This oflfice (attorney general’s] has held that that section vests in the county ^superintendent power to excuse a child for«on- attendance on account of extraordinary conditions. It may be that the county superintendent would have the right to excuse children who live where there are no transportation facilities and the child is unable to walk the distance. However, the law itself makes no exception for distances, the lack of ability of a child to walk to the schoolhousc, or the lack of means of transoor- tation.” 6. Age /or admisaion.— Six to twenty-one; 6 to 24 in certain districts. 6. Age for labor permit. — Fourteen to eighteen. 7. Minirnu‘g%ed}iealion required /or labor permit. — Completion of eighth grade if under IGyears of age; no special requirement if ISyearsof age. 8. Continuation school attendance. — Required of minor between 14 and 18 not attending full-time day school, for 4 hours a week between 8 a. m. and 6 p. m, on school days and between 8 a. m. and 12:30 p. m. on Saturday, during the public-school term, except child who cannot profitably pursue further school work; child who is high-school gradu- ate; child excused because attendance would be injurious. Estab- lishment of continuation school is not compulsory. • Board of school directors in organized district having 16 minors who would be required to attend may, on request of 25 adult residents, establish fluch school. WEST VIRGINIA 1. Cofitpulaary attendance age . — Seven to sixteen. 2. Minimum school term required. — Eight months. 3. Minimum attendance required. — Full term. 4/ Exemptums , — (o) Instruction for equal time “in a private, parochial, or other ' , school approved by the district board of education.” (6) Instruction for equal time “in the home of such child or children or elsewhere by a person or persons" judged by the district board of education to be qualified to give the instruction re- quired. (c) “Physical or mental incapacity for school attendance and the performance of achool^^rk/' (d) ''Death or serious illness in the immediate family of the pupil." («) “ Extreme destitution of parents " or guardian. (If destitution is relieved by public or private means, exemption is not allowed.) if) “Conditions rendering school attendance impossible or render- ing it hazardous to the pupii's life, health, or safety.” {a) Residence more than 2 miles from school by shortest practi- cable road or path, imless free transportation is provided. er|c ) COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE LAWS . 95 (h) For “observance of regular church ordinances.” (t) “Other causts that are accepted as valid by the county super- intendent*’ or by the district. U) Fourteen years old and engaged in regular employment for at least 6 hours per day or excused by local superintendent to enter employment at home. (A:) Fourteen years of age, completed the eighth grade, no junior or senior high school within 2 miles, and no free transportation furnished. 5. Age for admission . — Six to twenty-one. 6. Age for labor permit. — Fourteen to sixteen. 7. Minimum education required for labor permit. — Completion of sixth grade. 8. Continuation school attendance. — Required of child between Hand 16, who is not attending full-time school or who is regularly and lawfully ■ employed, for from 4 to 8 hours a weffk between 8 a. m. and 5 p. m.' until attendance amounts to 144 hours fqr the school year, except child who has completed the eighth grade, or who has been e.xempted from day school attendance. Continuation schools shall be estab- lished in any city having a population of more than 10,000 and in any city, town, or subdistrict where there are 50 or more minors between 14 and 16 years of age not in regular attendance upon approved instruction. WISCONSIN 1. Compulsory attendance age . — Seven to sixteen. 2. Minimum school term required. — Eight months. \ 3. Minimum aUendance required . — Full term in. cities of 'first class; 8 months in all other cities; 6 months in towms and villages. * 4. Exemptions. — (o) Completion of most advanced course in district. (6) Attendance during the required period in approved parochial or private school. ^ (c) Equivalent instruction during the required period elsewhere than at school, by a teacher selected by the persoh having control of such child. (d) “Any child not in proper physical or mental condition to attend school. (e) Children who live in country districts more than 2 miles by the nearest traveled road from the schoolhouse, unless free trans- portation is offered; provided, that children betw#ftn 9 and 14 who live between 2 and 3 miles from school must attend 60 days. (/) Fourteen years of age and regularly and lawfully employed. 6. Age for admission. — Four to twenty; school board may admit to school free of tuition persona 20 to 30 years of age. 6. Age for labor permit.— Fourteen to seventeen. 7. Minimum education required for labor permit. — Completion of most aditanced course in diatrict. 96 COMPULSORJ SCHOOL ATTENDANCE LAWS 8. Continuation school attendance . — Required of child between 14 and 16 not attending regular school, for one-half day ^ch school day, ahd of minor between 16 and 18 at least 8 hours each week, for 8 months a year (or entire terry if longer), except oliild who has com- pleted high school and child physically or mentally incapacitated. Continuation school must be established in places of over 6,000 population whenever 25 persons qihilified to attend request such establishment; schools may be’estarf^lished elsewhere. WYOMING 1. Compulsory attendance age. — Seven to seventeen. 2. Minimum school term required. — Three months; 6 months to receive share of Government royalty funds. 3. Minimum ait eryiance required . — Full term. 4. Exemptions. -r/ » (а) Attendance for a like period at a private or parochial school. (б) Any child who has “completed the work of the eighth grade.*' (c) Mentally incapable of doing the work of the school. {d) “ Inv^ds or others to whom the schooltoom might be inj urious" may be excused by district board.