DUBLIN, Ga. — Austell state representative Erica Thomas is introducing a bill that would raise the age students can drop out of school from 16 to 17. 13WMAZ learned how one central Georgia district feels about the potential change and spoke to a student who says she almost dropped out. Students in Georgia can drop out of school at the age of 16, but that could change if House Bill 783 goes through.
"I get to graduate on time and go to college soon," student Tityana Payne said.
Payne is looking forward to graduating in May, but just two years ago, she was ready to drop out.
"The environment that I was around, it felt like I couldn't get all my classes, it felt like I needed that one-on-one time with teachers, 'cause it was really hard for me to develop faster than other students," Payne said.
Luckily, Payne got a second when she enrolled in Moore Street School.
"We offer the opportunities for students to come at different times, flexible schedule, " Principal Brian Howell said.
Howell says more accommodations for students makes graduation easier. That is why he supports House Bill 783, which would raise the "mandatory education age" from 16 to 17.
"I actually like that idea. I think about being 16, there were some days I didn't want to go to school," Howell said.
"By raising the age to 17 is a great choice because at 17, you should know you're one step closer to the real world," Moore said.
If the bill passes children would have to attend a public, private, and home school between the child's 6th and 17th birthday.
Mandatory attendance will not be required if the student receives their high school diploma before they turn 17. Democratic representative Erica Thomas introduced the bill along with 5 other reps.
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