The House Education Committee held a public comment hearing today on changes to the state’s school compulsory age. The PA Principals Association was in attendance and supports both aspects of the proposed changes.  

 

Pennsylvania is only one of two states (Washington is the other) that still has age 8 as the compulsory starting age for schooling. This law has been in place since 1895 and certainly does not reflect the 21st century nor take into consideration the research on early childhood education and its benefits. The proposal would lower the age from 8 to 6 with still allowing parents to choose where that formal education would begin for their child, whether it be in the public schools, private schools, homeschooling, charter, etc. Lowering the age sends a clear message about the importance of engaging young children in some type of formal schooling much sooner than age 8.

 

The other change would be to increase the age in which a student could drop out from school without parental permission from age 17 to 18.  Currently, a 17-year-old can walk into the high school office and sign out of schooling without even consulting others. Many times, these decisions have long-lasting effects on the student for their entire life. By raising the age to 18, it will help with dropout rates and keep students engaged in their education.