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Governor Steve Beshear's Communications Office
Governor, First Lady and Basketball Great Mashburn Call on Lawmakers to Pass Graduation Bill
Increasing graduation age creates a stronger workforce
FRANKFORT, Ky. – Governor Steve Beshear and First Lady Jane Beshear today joined educators, business leaders and former University of Kentucky basketball great Jamal Mashburn to urge lawmakers to pass House Bill 225, which would gradually increase the mandatory attendance age for high school students from 16 to 18.
“Encouraging our high school students to stay in school is not only an education issue, it’s a workforce issue,” said Gov. Beshear. “A better-educated workforce means better quality jobs. Increasing the graduation age is one step toward a better quality of life for Kentuckians.”
Jamal Mashburn, who spent 13 years in the NBA after playing for UK, pledged his support for the bill. “I struggled during my early high school years, but encouragement from my family and teachers pulled me through,” Mashburn said. “I know how hard it is for young people who don’t complete their high school education – and I want to do everything I can to help kids realize they need to stay in school.”
On average, dropouts earn about $6,800 less annually than high school graduates. Nearly 6,000 Kentucky students dropped out in 2009, with nearly 26 percent of adults statewide currently possessing less than a high school education.
These numbers pose serious consequences for the Commonwealth. High school dropouts are four times more likely to be unemployed than college graduates, and one in four resorts to public assistance. Crime rates soar among those who have dropped out of school.
First Lady Jane Beshear, a former teacher, has held multiple summits throughout the state to discuss ways to improve high school graduation rates.
“Letting children drop out at age 16 is a relic of another time, when young people could find work without a high school diploma, but those times have changed,” said
Mrs. Beshear. “We must decide if we are willing to risk losing the investment of high-tech, high-skill businesses because we failed to properly prepare our people.”
A study by the Center on Education and Workforce at Georgetown University estimates that by 2018, nearly 89 percent of Kentucky jobs will require a high school degree or above.
The majority of Kentucky’s surrounding states (Indiana, Ohio, Virginia and Tennessee) have passed legislation requiring school attendance to age 18. The legal dropout age in Illinois is 17.
“If we’re going to grow our businesses, we’re going to need qualified employees,” said Central Bank president and CEO Luther Deaton. “With baby-boomers starting to retire, the pressure is going to be stronger than ever to find more workers with at least a high school diploma. HB 225 is a huge step in the right direction for Kentucky students and Kentucky businesses.”
“I am proud to again sponsor this legislation, which is critical to the success of not only our students but our ability to attract quality jobs,” said Rep. Jeff Greer, of Brandenburg. “We can no longer afford to let surrounding states take the lead on such an important issue. We have worked so hard to improve our state’s education system; this bill is an essential part of that long-term process.”
The Governor’s bill gradually increases the mandatory attendance age to 17 in 2015, then to 18 in 2016. Phasing in this change allows school districts plenty of time to prepare for this transition – both in policy and in budget.
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