SB 865 - This act allows metropolitan school districts (the Board of St. Louis Public Schools) the power to shift their compulsory attendance age range to either six to seventeen years of age or seven to seventeen years of age. In all other school districts the compulsory attendance age range would remain seven to sixteen years of age. Such a resolution changing the compulsory attendance age can only take effect with the approval of the voters of the district and after the school year during which the resolution is passed. The act provides exemptions to the parents of home school students above the age of sixteen in the city of St. Louis from the requirements that specify hours of instruction and maintaining certain records (i.e. written record, academic samples, evaluations). Further, the act allows home school educators of students over sixteen in the city of St. Louis to only supply a written statement that the pupil is attending home school as a defense against any prosecution for educational neglect or violation of the compulsory attendance law. This act is similar to SB 286 (2003). DONALD THALHUBER