MASSP News Center

From Jim Ballard

MASSP Executive Director

MASSP is getting more phone calls from legislative staff and other association lobbyists regarding raising the compulsory school age to 18. In the past, when there is this much buzz, something is about to happen. My guess is that the move is about to be made to try to move House Bill 4042. Similar pressure is building on the Senate side for SB 11.

Governor Granholm, the State Superintendent of Public Instruction, the State Board of Education, and leaders in the House have all come out in support of raising the compulsory school age. The School Board Association is also advocating for a change in the compulsory school age to 18.

But there is division within the education community. MASSP is saying it is the right thing to do, BUT there must be some things put in place before it is done (see MASSP article published in Detroit News , March 2007). We oppose a simple change in dates without amendments to allow certain students more options within the personal curriculum process and definitive language for alternative education.

We would support linking school attendance with withholding a student’s driver’s license if the reporting by the school and action taken by the Secretary of State are done within a very short timeframe. We haven’t sensed a majority support for this legislation. The bill is going to be pushed and possibility passed in the House. However, we don’t see support by Senate education leadership, at this time.

Moving the compulsory school age to 18 could be our Winter Break gift from our Legislature. We will have to be vigilant. If HB 4042 or SB 11 do become law, there will need to be some amendments to the bills in their current forms that provide for a transition period for our school communities and contain realistic alternatives for our students. Just changing the compulsory school age to 18, and expecting that all students will stay in school until they are 18 won’t won’t make it happen and dumps a new set of problems in the laps of our building leaders.