ATLANTA (Feb. 11, 2010) – Sen. Vincent Fort’s Dropout Deterrent Act passed unanimously out of the Senate Education and Youth Committee. The bill will increase the mandatory school attendance ages from 16 to 17. Sen. Fort drafted the legislation to detour young people in the state from dropping out of high school.
“You must have a high school diploma to succeed in today’s society. Our state is dealing with an astronomical dropout rate,” said Sen. Fort. “Our children must know an education is the key in living a prosperous life. In addition, the cost to Georgia for the 5,500 students that drop out every year is $1.8 billion annually.”
The legislation exempts students that are enrolled in community college or technical schools. The bill will now go to the Senate for a vote.
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Sen. Vincent Fort represents the 39th Senate District which includes a portion of Fulton County. He may be reached at his office at the Capitol at 404.656.5091, by cell phone at 404.287.7116.
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release:
February 11, 2010
For Information Contact:
Jennifer Kitt, Press Office Coordinator
Jennifer.Kitt@senate.ga.gov
404.656.0028