Education Committee Approves Dropout Bill

{Frankfort, Kentucky}...Tuesday, the state House Education Committee approved a bill to raise the school dropout age from 16 to 18 after first lady Jane Beshear spoke in favor of the measure. The bill would require compulsory attendance for children ages 6 to 17 by July 1, 2016, and 6 to 18 a year later. Sponsors of the bill have said the current policy of allowing a student to drop out at age 16 has been in effect since 1920. Jane Beshear, a former schoolteacher, has pushed the measure since 2010.