The controversial idea is contained in the Education and Skills Bill, which is due to have its second reading in the House of Commons.
One concern is about how compulsory education to 18 could be enforced. The government is proposing a system of fines, and potential prosecution.
The Liberal Democrats have indicated they will not support the proposals in their current form.
Schools spokesman David Laws said: "While we support the government's aspiration that more young people should be in education or training until 18, we cannot support the powers to compel and criminalise which are contained in this Bill."
But children's charity Barnardo's said it accepted the need for enforcement as long as it is only used as a last resort.
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