Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
A federal law that protects the privacy of student education records, FERPA applies to all schools that receive funds under an applicable program of the U.S. Department of Education.

Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (JJDP) Act
Enacted by Congress in 1974, this landmark legislation established OJJDP to support local and state efforts to prevent delinquency and improve the juvenile justice system. Reauthorized by Congress in 2002, and taking effect in FY 2004, the JJDP Act added the Deinstitutionalization of Status Offenders as a core requirement (truancy is a status offense).

No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (Pub. L. No. 107–110)
Reauthorizing the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, No Child Left Behind provides increased accountability for states, school districts, and schools; greater choice for parents and students, particularly those attending low-performing schools; more flexibility for states and local education agencies in the use of federal education dollars; and a stronger emphasis on reading, especially for young children.

State Compulsory School Attendance Laws
National Center for School Engagement, 2003
This fact sheet lists state-mandated ages for starting and legally dropping out of school.