All states require children of a certain age range to attend some kind of formal schooling, whether it's public, private, religious, or home school. After all, it is in the state's best interests to maintain an educated populace. These compulsory education laws are usually enforced on the parents, who may face criminal charges for actively keeping their children out of school (typically only when administrative attempts fail). Any home schooling arrangement must meet certain curriculum and instruction criteria set out by the state.
Compulsory Education Laws in Alabama
Children between the ages of six and 17 are required to attend school in Alabama, with a few exceptions that include certain physical/mental conditions and regular employment.
State law outlines procedures for school boards and juvenile courts to follow when a student is chronically absent, but also allows for misdemeanor charges with a fine of up to $100 and up to 90 days of hard labor. Alabama statute makes it clear that enforcement of the law shall be "liberally construed" and that the courts are "vested with a wide discretion in its administration," a mandate to apply the law on a case-by-case basis.
See the following chart for additional details about Alabama's compulsory education laws.
| Code Section | 16-28-1, et seq. |
| Age at Which School Attendance is Required | Between 6 and 17 |
| Exceptions to Attendance Requirements | Church school students; child privately tutored by certified instructor; child whose physical/mental condition prevents attendance; child would be compelled to walk over 2 miles to attend public school; child legally and regularly employed; children over 16 who have completed public school course of study |
| Home School Provisions | Exempted from Chapter 46 regulating certain schools and courses of instruction (§§16-46-1, et seq.) |
| Penalties on Parents for Noncompliance | Misdemeanor: Fine up to $100 and possibly up to 90 days hard labor for the county |
Note: State laws are constantly changing. Be sure to contact an Alabama education attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state law(s) you are researching.
What Are Alabama's Homeschool Requirements?
Alabama law offers a few options for parents who choose to homeschool their children, including:
Research the Law
Alabama Compulsory Education Laws: Related Resources
