Code of Maryland Regulations
Title 13A - STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
Subtitle 08 - STUDENTS
Chapter 13A.08.01 - General Regulations
Section 13A.08.01.01 - Attendance

A. Who Shall Attend. Each child who resides in this State and is 5 years old or older and under 18 shall attend a public school regularly during the entire school year unless the child is otherwise receiving regular, thorough instruction during the school year in the studies usually taught in the public schools to children of the same age, or the child is exempted under Regulation .02-2A of this chapter.

B. A child who resides in this State shall attend a public or nonpublic kindergarten program regularly during the school year before entering the first grade unless the child is enrolled in an alternative program as specified in Regulation .02-2B of this chapter or is receiving home instruction as provided in COMAR 13A.10.01.

C. A child who resides in this State and attends a nonpublic kindergarten program for part of the year may transfer to a public kindergarten if the child meets the minimum age requirement for admission to a public school kindergarten program, as set forth in Regulation .02B(2) of this chapter.

D. Students shall be considered in attendance at school when participating in school-sponsored activities during the school day, and when that participation is approved by the local superintendent of schools or the school principal, or their designees. Students shall be considered in attendance in an alternative program setting when participating in activities during the day sponsored by the alternative program, and when that participation is approved by the director of a licensed child care center, registered family day care home, or Head Start 5-year-old program.

E. Daily Attendance Record. A record of the daily attendance of each student shall be kept in accordance with regulations of the State Board of Education and the Maryland Student Records System Manual 2020, which is incorporated by reference in COMAR 13A.08.02.01.