Under Alabama's “compulsory education” laws, children must continue to attend public or private school until they graduate or turn 17. But there are exceptions, and would-be dropouts need to jump through hoops before they can leave school legally. Below is a summary of the state’s laws on staying in school, dropping out, and getting high school equivalency diplomas.
Requirements for Dropping Out Legally
Alabama students may drop out of school as soon as they turn 17, but only if they:
- have their parents’ written consent and
- participate, along with their parents, in an exit interview with school officials.
At the interview, the school will give information to the students and their parents about the harmful effects of dropping out, as well as any available training and employment opportunity programs. (Ala. Code §§ 16-28-3, 16-28-3.1 (2019).)
Other Exemptions from School Attendance
Alabama exempts other children from its compulsory education laws, including those who:
- are being taught by a competent private tutor for at least three hours each school day
- aren’t able to do school work because of their physical or mental condition
- would have to walk over two miles to public school because there’s no public transportation from their home, or
- are regularly and legally employed under child labor laws.
(Ala. Code §§ 16-28-5, 16-28-6 (2019).)
Costs of Dropping Out
Along with the likely financial consequences of dropping out of school, dropouts may experience legal consequences for truancy in Alabama if they stop going to class before they meet the legal requirements for leaving school.
In addition, dropouts may not be able to drive legally. If you withdraw from school without enrolling in a GED prep course, your driver's license will be suspended unless it was for reasons outside of your control. And you won't be able to get a license or learner's permit if you're younger than 19 without proof that you:
- have graduated from high school
- are attending school or a GED prep class
- are participating in an approved job training program or are “gainfully” employed
- have custody of your own minor child or are pregnant
- provide your parents with their only source of transportation, or
- qualify for an exemption because of other reasons outside of your control.
(Ala. Code § 16-28-40 (2019).)
High School Equivalency Tests
In Alabama, anyone who is at least 16 years old and not currently in school may take the general educational development (GED) test in order to obtain a high school equivalency certificate. However, 16- and 17-year-olds must meet additional requirements for taking the GED, including a parent's notarized letter giving permission.
In an attempt to minimize the numbers of dropouts, Alabama also offers another option for students who weren’t able to pass the Alabama High School Graduation Exam. They can take remediation and GED prep classes (along with their regular class load). If they pass the GED and complete the course requirements, they’ll receive an “Alabama Alternate Adult High School Diploma.”