Re: Massachusetts Should Lower, Not Raise, the Dropout Age

Anon

Posted on 10/21/09

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I agree. Anyone who has tried to teach a 16 yo kid who has NO
desire to be in class knows this. Some of those kids will be
fine out working. I think everyone should graduate from high
school, but it's simply not going to happen for some kids.

On 10/21/09, JM wrote:
> 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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