Bill to take dropouts' licenses advances (or accrue seven unexcused absences)

Bill to take dropouts' licenses advances
Second House approval, Senate OK still needed

South Carolina teens who don't take school seriously could lose their driver's licenses until they turn 18.

In a 67-29 vote, House lawmakers gave key approval Thursday to a bill that would revoke the licenses of 15, 16 and 17-year-olds who drop out of school, get expelled or accrue seven unexcused absences in one school year.

Twenty other states including North Carolina and Georgia have similar laws.

Bill sponsors, including Rep. Tom Young, R-Aiken, hope the measure will convince students that graduating from high school is a must.

"The dropout rate perpetuates social ills such as crime, teenage pregnancy, infant mortality, juvenile delinquency and high unemployment," Young said. "This legislation is not the 'silver bullet' to the problem but it is a positive step toward encouraging young people to stay in school and get at least a high school education."

Any teen, whether they drop out or not, would be eligible for a driver's license once they turn 18.

Read more: http://www.thestate.com/2010/04/30/1266019/bill-to-take-dropouts-licenses.html#ixzz0n5hFB1KI

have taken some sort of drivers' education class. IMHO

If they drop out..it should be 21!

I'd probably feel the same way, if I lived there. Since I don't, I'm happy to leave it to the states.

:thumbsup: :hi:

so if a dude wants to drop out, they can just say they're being homeschooled!

Not as easy to do as just saying it, I know - but still.

Maybe what we really need is a law that mandates that the state will work to make schools more accessible, more fitting the variety of learning styles, and offering something that's attractive to kids while giving them a decent education.

So even if you drop out it would be known.

you can't just "say" you're being homeschooled, you have to be able to prove it.

However, I do completely agree with your last statement. Those alternatives should, however, include homeschooling as an option because it is perfect for some kids.

A driver's license is a special privilege that the state generously, graciously and out of the generosity of their hearts, gives to citizens. That is even more true when you are under 18.

16 to drive, 18 to vote, 21 to drink, 25 to sign a contract (I ran up against this when trying to rent a car at 22).
There should be one single age of adulthood for everything, 18. Yes, even to drive. You're either an adult or not.

you end up with a slew of kids killing themselves in rental cars because they decided to start smoking and drinking on the way from the Bureau of Motor Vehicles to the local Army recruiting office while jerking off to some freshly procured Playboy.

yeah... allowing all-access of everything taboo all at once could be bad.