Ninety-six school boards across Kentucky have voted to raise the high school dropout age. The 96 districts put Kentucky at the 55% threshold needed to make the higher age mandatory statewide within four years.
A news release from the governor's office, dubbed the so-called 'Blitz to 96' a success.
“After five years of hard work by Commissioner Holliday, the First Lady and others to implement raising the compulsory graduation age to 18, I am overwhelmed by the support our school boards have shown by racing to adopt this policy,” said Gov. Beshear. “We know that keeping our students in school will not only offer them a better future, but will ensure that Kentucky has a better-trained, better-prepared workforce that will benefit the state for decades to come."
Legislation approved in this year's Kentucky General Assembly made adoption of the higher dropout age voluntary until 55 percent—or 96—of the state’s school districts adopt the policy. Since that threshold has been reached, the remainder of Kentucky’s 173 districts must now adopt the policy no later than the 2017-18 school year.
