Gov. Lynch Lauds House for Supporting Legislation Aimed at Increasing New Hampshire's High School Graduation Rate

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Gov. Lynch Lauds House for Supporting Legislation Aimed at Increasing New Hampshire's High School Graduation Rate

Gov. John Lynch today applauded the House's support of a bill raising New Hampshire's compulsory attendance age from 16 to 18, as part of an overall statewide effort to increase New Hampshire's high school graduation rate. The legislation has already passed the Senate and will now go to the House Finance Committee.

Gov. Lynch has made ensuring more of our young people graduate from high school a top priority.

"This bill is a significant step toward helping ensure more of New Hampshire's young people graduate from high school and have the opportunities they deserve for better lives," Gov. Lynch said.

"Right now, too many of our kids are dropping out of high school. That is unacceptable and puts at risk the futures of these young people and our state's future economic success," Gov. Lynch said.

New Hampshire's compulsory attendance age was set at 16 in 1903.

"In 1903, students could leave school at 16 and get good jobs at mills or farms. That's just not true any longer. Half a high school education is no longer enough," Gov. Lynch said. "We must also make sure there are alternative programs are in place for those students who do not do well in traditional classrooms - and that's exactly what we're doing."

Gov. Lynch included an additional $4 million for alternative education programs in his proposed budget, which is now in the Senate. In total, the Governor's budget proposes spending $54 million in state and federal funds this biennium to help young people graduate from high school.

In the capital budget, Gov. Lynch also included nearly $14 million to begin renovations to the regional career and technical education centers in Exeter and Manchester.

"We are providing the resources to help our young people stay in school. We cannot make anymore excuses for not raising the compulsory attendance age," Gov. Lynch said.

Last week, Gov. Lynch was a featured panelist at a national summit aimed at identifying steps for reducing the national high school dropout rate. The Governor was asked to participate in the summit because of his commitment to increasing the high school graduation rate in New Hampshire, which includes his support of increasing the compulsory attendance age.

The "National Summit on America's Silent Epidemic" at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington D.C., was a day-long event spearheaded by Civic Enterprises, the National Governors Association, MTV, TIME Magazine, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

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