Bill raising dropout age prepped for final vote
By The Associated Press

ST. PAUL — Staying in school until graduation or adulthood could soon be the law in Minnesota.

An education bill that cleared the Senate on Wednesday would raise the high school dropout age in the state from 16 to 18 and make ice hockey Minnesota’s official state sport. A House vote is up next.
The bill aims to stem the loss of thousands of Minnesota high school kids who now drop out each year. And it would bring Minnesota in line with many other states that have set the age at 18.

Still unclear is what mechanism the state would use to enforce the age requirement. Many 16- and 17-year-old dropouts now leave school without following state requirements to get their parents’ permission.

As written, the measure would go into effect in the 2011-2012 school year. The proposal could cost the state money because school dollars are doled out on a per-pupil basis.

Another provision would require students, with some exceptions, to take at least a half credit of physical education classes to graduate from high school.

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