The Assembly Education Committee released bill A1411, by an 8-2 vote along party lines, which would raise the compulsory age for attending schools from 16 to 18.
A statement for the bill reads that a person who stops attending school at age 16 often lacks the skills and preparation to successfully compete in the workforce and function in society.”
It goes on to state that “requiring students to attend school until the age of 18 will help ensure that students receive an adequate education and are sufficiently prepared to compete in the labor market and function in society.”
All the Democrats voted for it, but Republicans Scott Rumana and David Wolfe were in opposition. Both said requiring students to attend school two years more than current law allows could be “destructive” to other students.
