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Democrats Back Effort to Keep Kids in School

By Becky Ogann

Story Created: Dec 18, 2008 at 4:28 PM CDT

Story Updated: Dec 18, 2008 at 4:28 PM CDT

DES MOINES (AP) - Two key Democratic legislative leaders say they will renew efforts to raise the state's compulsory school attendance age to 18, a change that would require most students to finish high school.

The compulsory age is now 16.

House Speaker Pat Murphy acknowledges the idea is controversial but says education officials believe raising the age would reduce the dropout rate by up to 25 percent.

Senate Majority Leader Michael Gronstal agrees and says an increasingly complex economy makes education more important than ever.

Republican leaders indicate they may fight such an effort because requiring students to stay in school could lead to discipline problems

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