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Section 16-28-1

Definitions.

For purposes of this article, the following words, terms and phrases shall have the following respective meanings, unless clearly indicated otherwise:

(1) PRIVATE SCHOOL. Includes only such schools as hold a certificate issued by the State Superintendent of Education, showing that such school conforms to the following requirements:

a. The instruction in such schools shall be by persons holding certificates issued by the State Superintendent of Education;

b. Instruction shall be offered in the several branches of study required to be taught in the public schools of this state;

c. The English language shall be used in giving instruction;

d. A register of attendance shall be kept which clearly indicates every absence of each child from such school for a half day or more during each school day of the school year.

(2) CHURCH SCHOOL. Includes only such schools as offer instruction in grades K-12, or any combination thereof including the kindergarten, elementary, or secondary level and are operated as a ministry of a local church, group of churches, denomination, and/or association of churches on a nonprofit basis which do not receive any state or federal funding.

(School Code 1927, §302; Code 1940, T. 52, §299; Acts 1982, No. 82-218, p. 260, §1.)

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Section 16-28-2.1

Adoption of standards for mandatory attendance policy; parents held accountable; enforcement.

The Legislature finds that mandatory attendance policies for schools differ from school system to school system throughout the State of Alabama. The State Board of Education shall adopt standards for a mandatory and enforceable attendance policy for all students in public schools in the State of Alabama. Parents shall be held accountable in accordance with Sections 16-28-12 and 16-28-7, for the failure of the child who is of compulsory attendance age to attend either public, private or church-school. Enforcement of this section shall lie with the local board of education and the juvenile court system.

(Acts 1991, No. 91-323, p. 602, §15.)

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Section 16-28-3

Ages of children required to attend school; church school students exempt from operation of this section.

Every child between the ages of seven and 16 years shall be required to attend a public school, private school, church school, or be instructed by a competent private tutor for the entire length of the school term in every scholastic year except that every child attending a church school as defined in Section 16-28-1 is exempt from the requirements of this section, provided such child complies with enrollment and reporting procedure specified in Section 16-28-7. Admission to public school shall be on an individual basis on the application of the parents, legal custodian or guardian of the child to the local board of education at the beginning of each school year, under such rules and regulations as the board may prescribe.

(School Code 1927, §301; Code 1940, T. 52, §297; Acts 1956, 2nd Ex. Sess., No. 117, p. 446, §3; Acts 1982, No. 82-218, p. 260, §4.)

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Section 16-28-7

Report of enrollment.

At the end of the fifth day from the opening of the public school, the principal teacher of each public school, private school, and each private tutor, but not church school, shall report on forms prescribed by the State Superintendent of Education to the county superintendent of education, in the event the school is operated in territory under the control and supervision of the county board of education, or to the city superintendent of schools, in the event the school is operated in territory under the control and supervision of a city board of education, the names and addresses of all children between the ages of seven and 16 years who have enrolled in such schools; and thereafter, throughout the compulsory attendance period, the principal teacher of each school and private tutor shall report at least weekly the names and addresses of all children between the ages of seven and 16 years who enroll in said school or who, having enrolled, were absent without being excused, or whose absence was not satisfactorily explained by the parent, guardian, or other person having control of the child. The enrollment and attendance of a child in a church school shall be filed with the local public school superintendent by the parent, guardian or other person in charge or control of the child on a form provided by the superintendent or his agent which shall be countersigned by the administrator of the church school and returned to the public school superintendent by the parent. Should said child cease attendance at a church school, the parent, guardian, or other person in charge or control of the child shall by prior consent at the time of enrollment direct the church school to notify the local public school superintendent or his agent that said child no longer is in attendance at a church school.

(School Code 1927, §309; Code 1940, T. 52, §306; Acts 1982, No. 82-218, p. 260, §5.)

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Section 16-28-8

Reports required must be furnished.

All school officers, including those in private schools, or private tutors, but not those in church schools, in this state offering instruction to pupils within the compulsory attendance ages, shall make and furnish all reports that may be required by the State Superintendent of Education and by the county superintendent of education or by the board of education of any city with reference to the workings of this article. The principal teacher of each public school, private school, church school and each private tutor shall keep an attendance register showing the enrollment of the school and every absence of each enrolled child from school for a half day or more during each school day of the year.

(School Code 1927, §310; Code 1940, T. 52, §307; Acts 1982, No. 82-218, p. 260, §6.)

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Section 16-28-15

Absence must be explained.

Every parent, guardian, or other person having control or charge of any child required to attend public school, private school, or church school, shall as soon as practical explain the cause of any absence of the child under his control or charge which was without permission of the teacher, and a failure to furnish such explanation shall be admissible as evidence of such child being a truant with the consent and connivance of the person in control or charge of said child, unless such person can show to the reasonable satisfaction of the court that he had no knowledge of such absence and that he has been diligent in his efforts to secure the attendance of such child.

(School Code 1927, §308; Code 1940, T. 52, §305; Acts 1982, No. 82-218, p. 260, §7.)

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Section 16-28-16

Cases of nonenrollment and nonattendance; withdrawal of enrollment.

(a) It shall be the duty of the county superintendent of education or the city superintendent of education, as the case may be, to require the attendance officer to investigate all cases of nonenrollment and of nonattendance. In all cases investigated where no valid reason for nonenrollment or nonattendance is found, the attendance officer shall give written notice to the parent, guardian, or other person having control of the child. In the event of the absence of the parent, guardian, or other person having control of the child from his or her usual place of residence, the attendance officer shall leave a copy of the notice with some person over 12 years of age residing at the usual place of residence, with instructions to hand the notice to the parent, guardian, or other person having control of the child, which notice shall require the attendance of the child at the school within three days from the date of the notice. In the event the investigation discloses that the nonenrollment or nonattendance was without valid excuse or good reason and intentional, the attendance officer shall be required to bring criminal prosecution against the parent, guardian, or other person having control of the child.

(b) Each child who is enrolled in a public school shall be subject to the attendance and truancy provisions of this article except that any parent or parents, guardian or guardians who voluntarily enrolls their child in public school, who feel that it is in the best interest of that child shall have the right to withdraw the child at any time prior to the current minimum compulsory attendance age.