Should 16-year-olds have the right to drop out of school?

[darklordoftech]

In many states and countries, they do, but the UK recently took away that right and Obama urged the 50 states to do the same. Where do you stand on this?

[Intell]

No, especially in the US,

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

Yes, but my brother wouldn't recommend it. He dropped out and he's paying for it now. Fortunately my youngest brother doesn't have the mental capacity to drop out-he's been acting out at school lately too, but he aint going anywhere (he tried to make a run for it last week. Didn't end well for him).

[Antonio the Sixth]

No. The State has a responsibility to provide a complete education to all its citizens.

[DC Al Fine]

No. The State has a responsibility to provide a complete education to all its citizens.

How would you define complete? I'm not sure if I agree or disagree with you?

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

No. The State has a responsibility to provide a complete education to all its citizens.

What does any of this sentence have to do with our modern school system?

[Antonio the Sixth]

No. The State has a responsibility to provide a complete education to all its citizens.

How would you define complete? I'm not sure if I agree or disagree with you?

I don't know enough about education policy to give a precise answer to that, but given that every developed country (including those that do the best job at teaching) requires at least 12 years to complete a public education curriculum, I would say that that's a necessity.

No. The State has a responsibility to provide a complete education to all its citizens.

What does any of this sentence have to do with our modern school system?

Very little, but a terrible school system is (usually) better than no school system at all.

[Kingpoleon]

No. The State has a responsibility to provide a complete education to all its citizens.

This has a remarkably blatant authoritarian tone.

[Antonio the Sixth]

No. The State has a responsibility to provide a complete education to all its citizens.

This has a remarkably blatant authoritarian tone.

Thanks, I appreciate it.

[Fight for Trump]

Yes.

[Stand With Israel. Crush Hamas]

Yes, from a purely practical perspective. Our schools would become much worse places if hostile 17-year-olds are being forced to be there against their will.

You can't save people from themselves. Make GED programs more accessible and community college cheaper/free. Not every problem can be fixed with force of law.

[#TheShadowyAbyss]

Considering how well educated the U.S population is? No.

[SATW]

Yes, but it shouldn't be encouraged.

[dead0man]

Yes, of course.

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

No. The State has a responsibility to provide a complete education to all its citizens.

This has a remarkably blatant authoritarian tone.

Thanks, I appreciate it.

It pleases me that these pejoratives don't effect (affect?) you.

[Antonio the Sixth]

No. The State has a responsibility to provide a complete education to all its citizens.

This has a remarkably blatant authoritarian tone.

Thanks, I appreciate it.

It pleases me that these pejoratives don't effect (affect?) you.

Any sensible person would grow more sympathetic toward authoritarian ideas after spending eight years on Atlas.

(And I'm pretty sure it's "affect".)

[Green Line]

No.  School is very important for keeping the kids off the steets.

[Blue3]

This is something I would have opposed a few years ago... but now, after working in education for 3 years (including in high schools for a year), I'm more torn.

There are definitely some kids who don't want to be there, who can't be convinced, and who just disturb the class and the education of others. And there are some in **** schools who are better off completing their education with a GED unfortunately. But this should be the exception, not the norm, and definitely not encouraged.

[Mr. Reactionary]

Probably, especially if they are emancipated or have children. I went to a drop out factory in high school, and multiple girl dropouts had kids and no means of securing daycare.

[darklordoftech]

Interesting that Republicans seem to be saying yes and Democrats (with the exception of myself) seem to be saying no.

[Mercenary]

No, with exceptions.

If they can show they have knowledge equivalent to a high school graduate and have a job lined up and parental permission then sure.

But if they just want to stop school and become worthless in society then no.

But the law doesnt always matter. In Korea high school is optional and yet not only does SK have an incredibly rate of graduatiom from high school it also has among the highest graduates of university as well. The mentality of the people is more important than the law. Unfortunately the mentality towards education is a joke in the US. If it changed I would be more willing to say yes.

[Hoosier_Nick]

Interesting that Republicans seem to be saying yes and Democrats (with the exception of myself) seem to be saying no.

I agree with no. If the students don't want to continue, let them. If they're just sitting there doing nothing not caring, that's an inefficiency of tax dollars.

[Torie]

Keeping kids in school against their will seems like a very bad idea. Among other things, such kids might prove to be discipline problems, and disruptive to learning for others. And how would such a rule be enforced as a practical matter?  What happens if they just refuse to go? Would they be shipped off to a prison school? But there should be schools available for such kids that better fit their needs - maybe a situation that is part time work and part time school.

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

Keeping kids in school against their will seems like a very bad idea. Among other things, such kids might prove to be discipline problems, and disruptive to learning for others. And how would such a rule be enforced as a practical matter?  What happens if they just refuse to go? Would they be shipped off to a prison school? But there should be schools available for such kids that better fit their needs - maybe a situation that is part time work and part time school.

I think that's available in the upper grades now, no?    But I agree with this post.

[dead0man]

Interesting that Republicans seem to be saying yes and Democrats (with the exception of myself) seem to be saying no.

the left is often authoritarian.  They know what's good for you.  You're just an idiot that can't look out for himself and they are very willing to use the force (read:violence) of the state to make you do what they know is best for you.



It's funny 'cause these same people know how garbage many public schools are but are more than willing to, again, use violence to make children stay in them.  Vile.  Often the same people that are against vouchers.  Some are so horrible they are against private schools in any form.