House panel offers compromise on school dropout bill

This from the H-L:

Local school districts would have the option of keeping students in school until age 18 through 2016, when the higher dropout age would become mandatory statewide under a bill a state House panel approved Tuesday.

House Education chairman Carl Rollins, D-Midway, said the measure was a compromise between a House bill that would raise the dropout age from 16 to 18 and a Senate bill that would give schools the option of raising the age.

Rollins' committee substitute for Senate Bill 109 cleared the committee even though 10 members did not vote. The only "no" vote was cast by Rep. Jim DeCesare, R-Rockfield, who said he preferred the original Senate bill that gave school districts the option of raising the dropout age.

The bill now goes to the full House...