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February 28, 2007

Lawmakers announce bill to raise dropout age to 17

PROVIDENCE -- State lawmakers today announced a bill that would raise the age a student can drop out from 16 to 17 and would require schools to offer extra help to struggling students.

The Rhode Island Department of Education estimates the state graduation rate is about 85 percent, but many urban high schools graduate just half of their students. And about 2,000 students drop out each year.

State Rep. Joseph M. McNamara, D-Warwick, sponsored House Bill 5351. At a 3 p.m. press conference at the State House, McNamara said the state can no longer afford to lose so many students along the way, calling the problem a gathering "socio-economic storm."

The economy demands highly-skilled workers and a high school diploma is essential to enter college or recieve skill and job training, he said.

"I believe we can change the course of this socio-economic storm," McNamara said.

The bill would raise the age a student can drop out to 17 and require an exit interview. In addition, the bill would require the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to develop interventions for schools with a drop out rate of 15 percent or higher.

The bill would also require schools pay more attention to struggling students, including those who failed algebra in ninth grade; students in special education; and English language learners.

Lawmakers are scheduled to hold a hearing on the bill at 5 p.m. tonight in Room 135 of the State House.

-- Journal staff writer Jennifer D. Jordan

Posted by Steve Peoples  at 4:31 PM | Permalink

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