Compulsory School Attendance

(5) Compulsory School Attendance

(a) All children who have attained the age of six (6) years or who will have attained the age of six (6) years by February 1 of any school year, or who are older than six (6) years of age but who have not attained the age of sixteen (16) years, are required to attend school regularly during the entire school term. Public school students who have attained the age of sixteen (16) years and who have not graduated are subject to compulsory school attendance until the formal declaration of intent to terminate school enrollment is filed with the district. ss. 1003.21(1)(a)1 and 2(c), F.S.

(b) A student who attains the age of sixteen (16) years during the school year is not subject to compulsory school attendance beyond the date upon which he or she attains that age if the student files a formal declaration of intent to terminate school enrollment with the district. Public school students who have attained the age of sixteen (16) years and who have not graduated are subject to compulsory school attendance until the formal declaration of intent is filed with the district.

(c) The declaration must acknowledge that terminating school enrollment is likely to reduce the student's earning potential and must be signed by the 40 student and the student's parent/guardian. The district must notify the student's parent/guardian of receipt of the student's declaration of intent to terminate school enrollment. The student's certified school counselor or other school personnel must conduct an exit interview with the student to determine the reasons for the student's decision to terminate school enrollment and actions that could be taken to keep the student in school. The student must be informed of opportunities to continue his or her education in a different environment, including, but not limited to, adult education and GED®/2014 GED® test preparation. Additionally, the student must complete a survey in a format prescribed by the Florida Department of Education to provide data on student reasons for terminating enrollment and actions taken by schools to keep students enrolled.

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