Raising The Dropout Age

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) High school students will have to be 18 to drop out of school under a bill heading to the state Senate.<br/> <br/>The Senate Education Committee Monday passed the bill to raise the

Monday, February 12th 2007, 7:55 pm

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) High school students will have to be 18 to drop out of school under a bill heading to the state Senate.

The Senate Education Committee Monday passed the bill to raise the dropout age from 16 to 18. It was introduced by Senator Kathleen Wilcoxson after Governor Henry proposed making Oklahoma's high school dropout rate the lowest in the country.

Henry says students need to be pushed to earn a high school diploma.

The governor is also proposing more money for remediation programs and alternative schools to help students at risk for quitting school.