By Leslie Brody, The Record (Hackensack N.J.) –
HACKENSACK, N.J. — A bill that would require students to stay in school until they graduate or turn 18 passed the New Jersey state Senate Education Committee Monday, after passing the Assembly Education Committee last week.
State law now requires instruction until age 16. Bills to raise the mandatory attendance age have bounced around New Jersey for years but got new attention when President Barack Obama called for compulsory schooling until 18 or graduation in his State of the Union speech last month.
Supporters arguethat requiring more schooling would help young people get the skills they need in a harsh, high-tech economy. Keeping more teenagers in school would be expensive, however, especially because many experts say raising the school departure age works only if there is a comprehensive network of alternative programs and social services to keep them engaged. Many drop out because of family crises, pregnancy, addiction and other problems.
State Sen. Teresa Ruiz, who heads the Education Committee, said the bill was just the beginning of a public discussion about how to prevent dropping out, and said keeping teenagers in school would pay off in the long run. Studies show that dropouts are more likely to impose costs on society through crime, jail and welfare dependency. With more teens getting diplomas, “we would have a better base of people who have the ability to work,” Ruiz said.
Beyond the cost, some critics of such bills argue that forcing disaffected teens to stay in school disrupts learning for other students. New Jersey has one of the nation’s highest graduation rates, but in some poor cities, such as Paterson, only about half the students who start high school finish four years later.
Currently, 21 states require schooling until 18.
