Massachusetts Considers Raising Dropout Age to 18

There are once again some proposals in front of lawmakers in the state to raise the public school drop out age from 16 to 18.   On Tuesday, the Education Committee of the Legislature will hear several bills that would require high school students to stay in school until they turn 18 or graduate.

Last year, the committee did approve a bill that would have raised the age to 18, but it was never voted on by the full Legislature.   Another bill being considered  would allow the cities of Boston and Lawrence to change their dropout age to 18, even if the rest of the state stays at 16.