{"id":373338,"date":"2016-03-31T21:35:17","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:35:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/iowa-law\/iowa-compulsory-education-laws.html"},"modified":"2024-07-11T10:34:00","modified_gmt":"2024-07-11T15:34:00","slug":"iowa-compulsory-education-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/iowa-law\/iowa-compulsory-education-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Iowa Compulsory Education Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Iowa Compulsory Education Laws<\/h1>\n
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Created by FindLaw’s team<\/a> of legal writers and editors<\/i><\/p>\n\n | Last updated\n

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Iowa, like other states, wants its citizens to have at least a basic level of education. Local, state, and federal governments take school seriously and have enacted compulsory education laws<\/a> requiring public school attendance for children of certain ages. Alternatives, such as private school, religious schools, or homeschooling<\/a> are also viable educational options. Typically, basic reading, writing, math, civics, and other required subjects must be taught so children that attend these programs are on near equal educational footing as they become adults.<\/p>\r\n

The following chart outlines the compulsory education laws in Iowa.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Code Sections<\/b><\/td>\r\nIowa Code Chapter 299 \u2013 Compulsory Education<\/a><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
Ages When School Attendance is Required<\/b><\/td>\r\nChildren in Iowa who are between the ages of 6 and 16<\/a> by September 15th of each year are required to attend school. The state offers a voluntary preschool program for 4-year-olds, which provides access to early childhood education. Children who are 4 years old by September 15 are eligible to participate in this program, which is offered through public school districts and various community partners.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
Exceptions to Attendance Requirements<\/b><\/td>\r\nThe compulsory attendance laws don\u2019t apply<\/a> to children who:
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Homeschooling<\/b><\/td>\r\nHomeschooling in Iowa is referred to as \u201cprivate instruction<\/a>\u201d and requires using a course of study that provides competent private instruction for a minimum of 148 days. Also, annual achievement evaluations must be reported to the local school district.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
Penalties for Parents for Noncompliance<\/b><\/td>\r\nSchool officers will use means available to keep a child in school. If a truancy problem persists, the case may be referred to county attorney for mediation<\/a> or prosecution.
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\r\nViolating the terms of the mediation agreement or referral to prosecution can result in a simple or serious misdemeanor. The penalties<\/a> are:
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Penalties for Students for Noncompliance<\/b><\/td>\r\nFailure to attend school, be homeschooled, or attend an alternative or adult education program can result in the denial of an intermediate or full driver\u2019s license<\/a> until the age of 18.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\r\n

Note:<\/i><\/b> State laws are revised all the time, so it\u2019s important to contact an experienced local education lawyer<\/a> or conduct your own legal research to verify these or other Iowa educational laws.<\/i><\/p>\r\n

Research the Law<\/h2>\r\n