House Committee Raises Dropout Age
A divided House Education Committee—split by timing questions rather than concept—has reported legislation that would increase the dropout age to 18.
The measure, House Bill 4042, would require students currently in the 7th Grade to complete all graduation requirements or attain the age of 18 to leave school. The issue was a topic highlighted by Governor Granholm in her sixth State of the State Address.
Moving the bill on a partisan 12-6 vote, the members of the House Education Committee disagreed over which aspect of the program should come first. Republicans argued that without alternative education programs for failing students to help them achieve graduation requirements the bill would not achieve its goal. They also expressed concern the bill and its intent—while laudable—would divert resources to students who did not want to be in class at the expense of those who did.
Democrats—supported by testimony from witnesses representing the educational community—argued the measure would force school districts to implement alternative education programs for students at risk for dropping out.
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