Which statement about the Education Code's 'child' definition is accurate?

Which statement about the Education Code's 'child' definition is accurate?

• A. It defines child as 10 through younger than 18.
• B. It defines child as 11 through 17.
• C. It defines child as 10 through younger than 17.
• D. It defines child as 12 through 18.

Answer: (C)

The Education Code defines a “child” as a person who is at least ten years old and under seventeen years of age. In plain terms, this means ages 10 through 16 are included, but 17-year-olds are not. The exact wording uses “under seventeen,” so the upper bound is 16. This matters because the term is used to determine who falls under certain school-related rules and juvenile court provisions. Therefore, the statement that matches the statutory phrasing is that a child is 10 through younger than 17. Other options either start at a higher age, end at 18, or extend the range to include 17, which doesn’t align with the code’s language.

The Education Code defines a “child” as a person who is at least ten years old and under seventeen years of age. In plain terms, this means ages 10 through 16 are included, but 17-year-olds are not. The exact wording uses “under seventeen,” so the upper bound is 16.

This matters because the term is used to determine who falls under certain school-related rules and juvenile court provisions. Therefore, the statement that matches the statutory phrasing is that a child is 10 through younger than 17. Other options either start at a higher age, end at 18, or extend the range to include 17, which doesn’t align with the code’s language.