Research the writings of John Taylor Gatto on the internet. He is a three time teacher of the year award and a thirty year veteran teacher. He has researched the history of mandatory education and has concluded that the school system is harmful to children. It is a law. But there are ways around it.

I cant post you the law but i can tell you that school is a great necessity in each individual life. If you dont go to school then you dont get enough knowledge and please note that i said “enough knowledge” which means you can receive knowledge out of school but will that knowledge be sufficient for the world? See schools help to feed the mind, breaking down hard topics so that we get full understanding, develop minds with skills necessary for the working world ect. If you dont attend school to get knowledge of the materials revelant for todays society then you will be left to battle life in a hard way unless you have a first hand skill that you can use for survival.

California information:

http://www.lao.ca.gov/2004/compulsory_ed/020304_Compulsory_Education_Laws.htm

States’ adoption of compulsory education:

http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0112617.html

enotes has some stuff

http://www.enotes.com/everyday-law-encyclopedia/compulsory-education

John Gatto, by the way, is not a solid source on compulsory education and its flaws. He’s written some articles and done some biased research. He has an opinion…just like everyone else.

depends on what state you live in if you want specifics….

go here: http://www.thecre.com/fedlaw/legal11.htm

http://www.elearners.com/resources/education-laws.asp

and a dumbed down version: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandatory_education