Education Committee Shoots Down Jarvis Dropout Bill

After a two-hour debate, members of the Idaho House Education Committee voted to kill Representative Rich Jarvis' bill that would have raised the legal dropout age from 16 to 18. The final vote was 9-8, with committee chair Representative Bob Nonini, R-Coeur d'Alene, breaking the tie and casting the dissenting vote.

According to articles by Brian Murphy in the Idaho Statesman and Sarah Wire in the Associated Press, dissenters were concerned about the bill's $11 million cost and whether it would actually be effective. State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna, who did not testify, told the Statesman that he supported the arguments that making schools “rigorous and relevant” will be more successful at retaining students than compelling them to remain in school.  

Rep. Pete Nielsen, R- Mountain Home, told the committee it is better to provide students with educational choices such as alternative schools than to force them to attend traditional classes, the AP said.