Bill > HB2720

This bill modifies the age requirements for compulsory school attendance in Missouri. Previously, parents were responsible for enrolling children between the ages of seven and the district's compulsory attendance age. This bill changes the starting age for mandatory enrollment in public, private, parochial, or parish schools to five years old, while children in home schools or FPE (Full-time Equivalent) schools still need to be enrolled by age seven. The bill also clarifies that children aged five and older enrolled in public school must attend regularly, and non-attendance can lead to violations of the law. It maintains existing provisions for excusing students due to mental or physical incapacity, legal employment for older students, or mental/behavioral health concerns documented by a professional. The bill also defines a "completed credit towards high school graduation" for home school or FPE school purposes as 100 hours of instruction in a course and clarifies the definition of "compulsory attendance age for the district" as seventeen years old, or sixteen if a metropolitan school district adopts a resolution to lower it.

Education

https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB2720&year=2026&code=R