What Is the Legal Age to Drop Out of School in Arkansas?
According to the 2010 Arkansas Code concerning attendance, the legal age to drop out of school is 18. Within the state, parents have the responsibility to see that their children ages 5 through 17 are enrolled in school. There are a few exceptions to this rule.
Students who receive a high school diploma or its equivalent are not required to attend school until the age of 18, nor is a student who is 16 or older and enrolled in a post-secondary vocational-technical institution, community college or other institution of higher education. Students are also exempt from the attendance requirement if they are participating in an adult education program or the Arkansas National Guard Youth Challenge Program. In some cases, the local school district must grant a waiver to the attendance requirement, and students must pass a competency exam.