SB347 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Rodger SmithermanSenator

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2010

Title

Mandatory school attendance, increased from age 17 to 18, alternative education program further provided for, Sec. 16-28-3, 16-28-3.1 am'd.; Act 2009-564, 2009 Reg. Sess. am'd.

Summary

SB347 raises the mandatory school-attendance age from 17 to 18 and adds clarified paths to alternative education for students who violate conduct codes.

What This Bill Does

If passed, the bill would require students to attend school until age 18 and allows students who violate school conduct codes to enroll in an alternative education program. It also implements additional withdrawal rules for students over 17, including parental consent and an exit interview that explains consequences and available programs. The bill directs the Department of Education to work with districts with low graduation rates to implement dropout-prevention strategies and gather data, and it requires reporting to the Legislature on outcomes and planned improvements. It also clarifies funding considerations under constitutional rules and sets an effective date after passage and governor approval.

Who It Affects

• Students aged 17 turning 18 (and their parents/guardians) who would be subject to the new 18-year attendance requirement and withdrawal procedures.
• Local boards of education, school systems, and the State Department of Education, which would implement dropout-prevention programs, provide alternative education options, collect data, and report to the Legislature.

Key Provisions

• Increase mandatory attendance age from 17 to 18 for public, private, church schools, or tutored instruction.
• Clarify that students who violate a local board of education code of conduct may attend an alternative education program.
• Allow a student over 17 to withdraw from public school before graduation with parental/guardian consent and an exit interview that informs about consequences and available programs.
• Require the Department of Education to work with districts with low four-year graduation rates to implement dropout-prevention strategies, including early intervention, alternative education programs, dual enrollment, increased AP opportunities, fee waivers for dual enrollment, and flexible programs for older students.
• Provide coaching and supports (teacher advisories, targeted interventions) for at-risk students and collect data on suspensions, alternative program enrollment, remediation, and graduation-related metrics.
• Require a public report to the Legislature on dropout-prevention outcomes and planned modifications.
• Permit students to be referred to an alternative school for conduct violations and allow local boards to set attendance policies for these programs.
• State that the bill is exempt from Amendment 621 local-funding requirements because it involves expenditures by a school board; it does not require local approval or a 2/3 vote to become law.
• Effective date: the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Education