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The best path for many 16-17 year olds is not high school
but vocational tech, apprenticehip, or even a minimum wage
job. Additional schooling is good for some 16-17 year olds;
that does not mean it is good for everyone.

A higher dropout age will in any case do little to keep
students in school; many already drop out before legally
permitted because enforcement is lax, and the resources to
enforce an even higher age would be substantial. Those
resources are better employed serving the students who want
to be in school.

Students forced to stay in school, moreover, especially at
ages 16-17, can be disruptive or even dangerous to other
students.

The right policy change, therefore, is to lower the dropout
age, or even eliminate it. Raising it to 18 will waste
resources and reduce school quality for those who want to
learn.  

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