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RSA 193:1 · Duty of Parent; Compulsory Attendance by Pupil

Title
XV: EDUCATION
Chapter
193 · PUPILS
Status
current
Official source linked
Yes
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193:1 Duty of Parent; Compulsory Attendance by Pupil. –

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I.

A parent of any child at least 6 years of age and under 18 years of age shall cause such child to attend the public school to which the child is assigned in the child's resident district. Such child shall attend full time when such school is in session unless:

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(a)

The child is attending a New Hampshire public school outside the district to which the child is assigned or an approved New Hampshire private school for the same time;

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(b)

The child is receiving home education pursuant to RSA 193-A and is therefore exempt from this requirement;

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(c)

The relevant school district superintendent has excused a child from attendance because the child is physically or mentally unable to attend school, or has been temporarily excused upon the request of the parent for purposes agreed upon by the school authorities and the parent. Such excused absences shall not be permitted if they cause a serious adverse effect upon the student's educational progress. Students excused for such temporary absences may be claimed as full-time pupils for purposes of calculating state aid under RSA 186-C:18 and adequate education grants under RSA 198:41;

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(d)

The child is attending a public or private school located in another state which has been approved by the state education agency of the state in which the school is located, or is attending a private school located in New Hampshire that is approved as a school tuition program by the school board pursuant to RSA 193:3, VII;

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(e)

The pupil has been exempted from attendance pursuant to RSA 193:5;

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(f)

The pupil has successfully completed all requirements for graduation and the school district is prepared to issue a diploma or the pupil has successfully achieved the equivalent of a high school diploma by either:

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(1)

Obtaining a high school equivalency certificate; or

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(2)

Documenting the completion of a home school program at the high school level by submitting a certificate or letter to the department of education;

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(g)

The pupil has been accepted into an accredited postsecondary education program;

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(h)

The pupil obtains a waiver from the superintendent, which shall only be granted upon proof that the pupil is 16 years of age or older and has an alternative learning plan for obtaining either a high school diploma or its equivalent.

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(1)

Alternative learning plans shall include age-appropriate academic rigor and the flexibility to incorporate the pupil's interests and manner of learning. These plans may include, but are not limited to, such components or combination of components of extended learning opportunities as independent study, private instruction, performing groups, internships, community service, apprenticeships, and on-line courses.

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(2)

Alternative learning plans shall be developed, and amended if necessary, in consultation with the pupil, a school guidance counselor, the school principal and at least one parent or guardian of the pupil, and submitted to the school district superintendent for approval.

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(3)

If the superintendent does not approve the alternative learning plan, the parent or guardian of the pupil may appeal such decision to the local school board. A parent or guardian may appeal the decision of the local school board to the state board of education consistent with the provisions of RSA 21-N:11, III; or

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(i)

The pupil is enrolled in the education freedom account program pursuant to RSA 194-F and is therefore exempt from this requirement.

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II.

A child who reaches the sixth birthday after September 30 shall not be required to attend school under the provisions of this section until the following school year.

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III.

In this section, "parent" means a parent, guardian, or person having legal custody of a child.

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IV.

[Repealed]. Source. 1903, 13:1. 1911, 139:1. 1917, 52:1. 1919, 84:1. 1921, 85, III:1. PL 118:1. RL 137:1. 1949, 92:1. 1953, 223:1. RSA 193:1. 1985, 47:1. 1990, 279:1. 1994, 121:1. 1996, 157:1. 1997, 183:1. 1999, 17:42; 39:1. 2005, 257:15. 2007, 242:5; 270:3; 350:1; 350:2. 2008, 173:11. 2013, 215:1. 2017, 182:2, eff. Aug. 28, 2017. 2021, 91:432, eff. Aug. 24, 2021; 106:1, eff. Aug. 5, 2021.

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Source note

Source. 1903, 13:1. 1911, 139:1. 1917, 52:1. 1919, 84:1. 1921, 85, III:1. PL 118:1. RL 137:1. 1949, 92:1. 1953, 223:1. RSA 193:1. 1985, 47:1. 1990, 279:1. 1994, 121:1. 1996, 157:1. 1997, 183:1. 1999, 17:42; 39:1. 2005, 257:15. 2007, 242:5; 270:3; 350:1; 350:2. 2008, 173:11. 2013, 215:1. 2017, 182:2, eff. Aug. 28, 2017. 2021, 91:432, eff. Aug. 24, 2021; 106:1, eff. Aug. 5, 2021.

Source history

  • 1903, 13:1
  • 1911, 139:1
  • 1917, 52:1
  • 1919, 84:1
  • 1921, 85, III:1. PL 118:1. RL 137:1
  • 1949, 92:1
  • 1953, 223:1. RSA 193:1
  • 1985, 47:1
  • 1990, 279:1
  • 1994, 121:1
  • 1996, 157:1
  • 1997, 183:1
  • 1999, 17:42; 39:1
  • 2005, 257:15
  • 2007, 242:5; 270:3; 350:1; 350:2
  • 2008, 173:11
  • 2013, 215:1
  • 2017, 182:2, eff. Aug. 28, 2017
  • 2021, 91:432, eff. Aug. 24, 2021; 106:1, eff. Aug. 5, 2021

Related materials

Bill relationships

  • 2026 HB1268 amend · effective 2027-01-01

    he "Home Education Freedom Act". 2 Access to Public School Programs by Nonpublic, Public Chartered Schools, or Home Educated Pupils; Home Schools Cross-Reference Added. Amend RSA 193:1-c, II to read as follows: II. Nothing in this section shall be construed to require a parent to establish a home education program which exceeds the requirements of RSA 193:1 or RSA 193-A. 3 Home Education; Definiti

  • 2026 HB1268 repeal · effective 2027-01-01

    RSA 193:1-c, II to read as follows: II. Nothing in this section shall be construed to require a parent to establish a home education program which exceeds the requirements of RSA 193:1 or RSA 193-A. 3 Home Education; Definitions and Administration of Program Modified. RSA 193-A:1-5 is repealed and reenacted to read as follows: 193-A:1 Definitions. I. “Certificate of completion” means an opt

  • 2026 HB1573 amend

    in RSA 193:3, III-a(d) and the admission requirements described in RSA 193:3, III-a(f). 4 School Attendance; Legal Residence Required; Exceptions; Cross-Reference Added. Amend RSA 193:12, I to read as follows: I. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person shall attend school, or send a pupil to the school, in any district of which the pupil is not a legal resident, without the consent of th

  • 2026 HB1573 reference

    g after paragraph XXXVII the following new paragraph: XXXVIII. Civic and Career Technical Education. The state board of education shall develop and maintain rules pursuant to RSA 193:1-d civic and CTE events, such as testifying on legislation; serving on membership on statutory or executive New Hampshire youth advisory councils; and attending local government meetings or hearings, to count as alternativ

  • 2026 HB1573 amend

    e it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened: 1 New Section; Excused Absences for Civic and Career Technical Education Activities. Amend RSA 193 by inserting after section 1-c the following new section: 193:1-d Excused Absences for Civic and Career Technical Education Activities. I. Students in public or public charter primary or secondary schools who wi

  • 2026 HB1578 reference

    rcentage of state adequacy grants and differentiated aid used for administrative expenses; (k) Whether the student complied with the compulsory attendance requirement stated in RSA 193:1 prior to the submission of an application for an education freedom account; and (l) Any other data needed to assess compliance with state law, including program expenditures, administrative costs, and compliance issue

  • 2026 HB1778 amend · effective 2027-01-01

    Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened: 1 New Section; Prohibition on Teaching Personal Identity Ideologies; Policy Requirements. Amend RSA 193 by inserting after section 40 the following new section: 193:40-a Prohibition on Teaching Personal Identity Ideology. I. In this chapter "personal identity ideology" shall mean any approach or form of teaching that

  • 2026 HB1778-FN amend · effective 2027-01-01

    Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened: 1 New Section; Prohibition on Teaching Personal Identity Ideologies; Policy Requirements. Amend RSA 193 by inserting after section 40 the following new section: 193:40-a Prohibition on Teaching Personal Identity Ideology. I. In this chapter "personal identity ideology" shall mean any approach or form of teaching that

  • 2026 HB1817 amend

    lent, or has attained the age of 21. II. Nothing in this section shall be construed to require a parent to establish a home education program which exceeds the requirements of RSA 193:1 or RSA 193-A. 2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage. LBA 26-2861 03/20/2026 HB 1817-FN- FISCAL NOTE AS AMENDED BY THE HOUSE (AMENDMENT #2026-0911h) AN ACT relative to

  • 2026 HB1817 amend

    esentatives in General Court convened: 1 Education; School Attendance; Access to Public School Programs by Nonpublic, Public Chartered Schools or Home Educated Pupils. Amend RSA 193:1-c to read as follows: 193:1-c Access to Public School Programs by Nonpublic, Public Chartered [Schools] School, Education Freedom Account, or Home Educated Pupils. I. Nonpublic, public chartered school, education

  • 2026 HB1817-FN amend

    lent, or has attained the age of 21. II. Nothing in this section shall be construed to require a parent to establish a home education program which exceeds the requirements of RSA 193:1 or RSA 193-A. 2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage. LBA 26-2861 03/20/2026 HB 1817-FN- FISCAL NOTE AS AMENDED BY THE HOUSE (AMENDMENT #2026-0911h) AN ACT relative to

  • 2026 HB1817-FN amend

    esentatives in General Court convened: 1 Education; School Attendance; Access to Public School Programs by Nonpublic, Public Chartered Schools or Home Educated Pupils. Amend RSA 193:1-c to read as follows: 193:1-c Access to Public School Programs by Nonpublic, Public Chartered [Schools] School, Education Freedom Account, or Home Educated Pupils. I. Nonpublic, public chartered school, education

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