Group Says Kentucky Needs To Increase Drop-Out Age

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Posted: 11:24 PM Nov 12, 2008
Last Updated: 6:02 AM Nov 13, 2008

11 comments

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Kentucky's high school graduation rates are always below national averages.

One group says increasing the age at which a child can leave school will improve those numbers.

In years past, Terry Brooks With Kentucky Youth Advocates says you could drop-out of school at the age 16 and still make a decent living, but times have changed.

Some believe kids are receiving mixed messages.

So when the general assembly meets in January, officials with the Kentucky Youth Advocates say they plan to propose legislation that would raise the legal age to drop out of school from 16 to 18 years old.

It is part of the organizations "Blueprint for Kentucky's Children" initiative.

More than 60 non-profit groups and other social service agencies helped on the project.

People we spoke to say they support K-Y-A's push to raise the drop-out age requirement.

“It would save a lot of kids because some kids mature a little bit later in life and the education especially here in the mountains is vital for our young kids here,” Al Holland Sr. said.

Getting the bill passed in the House and Senate may prove difficult, but Brooks believes many lawmakers are open to the idea.

Brooks says a cap on interest rates for payday loan operations is also part of the proposed bill.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: Buffie Location: Warsaw, ky on Apr 2, 2009 at 10:34 AM
I don't believe they should be aloud to drop out of school at all. My daughter just dropped out she is 18 and 6 weeks from graduation. how stupid! Because my daughter is 18 the school just let her do what she wanted. No phone call to me and her father or anything. All because she is the that magical number of 18 Most of these kids do not have a clue as to what is in store for them in the real world. Much less just jump in. most do not have jobs or a place to live. As educators I would think they should be obligated to inform parents anyway. My husband and I have always and will continue to be very active in our childrens lives. We have 1 already out of school, 1 dropout, a freshmen,a 5th grader, and a 2nd grader, who have always done well in school in every area! academically,socially,atheletically. they are well rounded children. I say raise it to 20!(due to late birthdays and such!)

Posted by: Lois Location: Adair County on Dec 3, 2008 at 01:17 AM
I just graduated back in summer of 07 and I know how schooling is these days. A lot of kids do not want to go to school. Raising the drop out age from 16 to 18 isnt going to help though. Rather, make a law stating that if you do not want to attend school, talk to counselors and then if you still haven't changed your mind, be REQUIRED to register for the GED and have to pass it within 6mths of dropping out.

Posted by: Sherri Location: Lexington, KY on Dec 1, 2008 at 02:06 PM
I am a mother of a 15 year old boy who has had truancy issues for the past two years and plans on dropping out this summer when he turns 16. I am in favor of the law being passed to increase the drop out age to 18. Our kids are not maturing faster but slower, economic times are a lot tougher then they were when we were teens and they need all of the education and assistance they can get now a days. I am having a hard time getting any assistance as it is from the school or courts to make my son go to school. He may go but then leaves and walks home, how does he do that? Aren't they suppose to be watching them and keeping them in school? Please increase the age to drop out to 18; it may be the only chance these kids have left. A concerned parent.

Posted by: melinda Location: mount sterling on Nov 14, 2008 at 07:06 PM
i agree if you quit school you should not be held liable for child support.. the custodial parent should be responsible for the child..

Posted by: James A. Creech Location: Cumberland on Nov 13, 2008 at 10:35 PM
Our lawmakers need to look into the homeschooling issues of this state! My daughter is 15 and I am divorced from her mother and she just withdrew her from school, running from truancy, and I went to court and the judge just more the less laughed at me. I'm sorry my ex spouse does not have the education to home school anyone. she quit school at the age of 16, the repetitive natures need to be broken. Also if a child quits school, then their child support should be relinquised as well. time for them to search for a job.

Posted by: BA Location: EA KY on Nov 13, 2008 at 09:19 PM
Kentucky would be a perfect place to try something different like the British method of secondary education. Give students a series of exams aroudn 12 or 13 and funnel them into academic or vocational programs that suit their abilities and aptitudes. Not everybody is college material, but a lot of well trained technicians make as much money or more than college graduates.

Posted by: Diane Location: Mt.Sterling on Nov 13, 2008 at 02:31 PM
Instead of making laws forcing kids to stay in school, why not use that energy making schools a place they would want to be? We force children to go to schools that are run like maximum security prisons and we force them to interact with students who we would be afraid to let into our homes. Until you improve that situation, you can pass all the laws you want and it won't build faith and security into our public schools.

Posted by: len Location: ky on Nov 13, 2008 at 01:22 PM
i think there need to be regulations on this. why are people still sophomores at this age.. i think someone is wanting funding for the school. these kids need tutoring or is just that someone don't want to deal with them???

Posted by: Jay Location: Perry Co on Nov 13, 2008 at 01:01 PM
I've always thought the drop-out age should be 18 anyway. There are way too many uneducated individuals in the mountain area. Times have changed, and you can no longer obtain employment that will support you or a family without a decent high school education.

Posted by: thomas Location: pikeville on Nov 13, 2008 at 11:51 AM
you shouldnt beable to leave high school unless you are 18 years or older

Posted by: Terri on Nov 13, 2008 at 09:19 AM
Well hello, we must have the funds and especially at the college level---we are cut to death.

Posted by: Running for Board Member Location: Replacing School Personnel on Nov 13, 2008 at 01:47 AM
Most of them at Knott Central are 18 to 21 what do you do with these sophomores? Many deal in drugs. Try to call and talk to the stupidintent of schools, you will then know why. I am not joking, there are people in excess of 21 years of age still there. NOT EMPLOYEE'S, STUDENTS! one is 24 years of age. No child left behind, bull. Call the Principal, he will be happy to tell you nothing. Call the superintendent she will be happy to have someone else call back. Ask her why its called blood bath central?

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