Attendance Law

Compulsory School Attendance Law

IT'S THE LAW - HOUSE BILL 4, SECTION 21   

Mississippi Law Requires:

Regular school attendance for every child who has attained the ages of six (6) years on or before September 1 and who has not attained the age of seventeen (17) years on or before September 1 of the calendar year.

THE MISSISSIPPI COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE LAW:

  • Requires that a parent, guardian or custodian of a compulsory school age child must enroll the child in school and cause the child to attend school.

  • Requires a parent to inform the school of the reason for the child's absence from school.

  • Requires the school to report excessive unexcused absences to the School Attendance Officer/Counselor of the District Attorney's Office.

Any parent found in non-compliance with the Law may be subject to a fine up to $1,000.00 or up to one year in jail or both.

SCHOOL REGISTRATION AND OPENING DATES MAY BE OBTAINED FROM LOCAL SCHOOL OFFICIALS

REQUIRED FOR ENROLLMENT:

To enroll a child in school, parents must present school officials with the following:

  1. Certified copy of the child's birth certificate.  The County Health Dept. has forms for ordering this document.

  2. Immunization certificate (blue slip) from the Health Dept. or local doctor.

  3. Three (2) proofs of residence that include name and address (examples:  power bill, utility bill, lease, homestead exemption).

  4. Social Security Number.

If you need assistance, contact the School Attendance Officer.

THE SCHOOL ATTENDANCE OFFICER/COUNSELOR IS AVAILABLE....

....to answer questions concerning Mississippi Compulsory School Attendance Law.

....to assist parents, school and community assuring regular school attendance of all school age children.

....to investigate non-attendance and UNLAWFUL ABSENCES.

....to file petition with the Youth Court or Court of Competent Jurisdiction on parents and/or students who refuse to comply with the Compulsory School Attendance Law.

....to counsel with children contemplating dropping out of school.

....to provide a values group for youth to increase self-esteem and responsibility.