The Senate Education Committee has killed a proposal to lower the compulsory age for school attendance.
The bill would return South Dakota’s compulsory school age to 16. It was changed to 18 in 2009.
Senate President Pro Tempore Lee Schoenbeck presented the bill. He framed it as a safety issue. He argued the current system creates a school-to-corrections carousel for young offenders.
“This affects the safety of our students, but I think it's bigger than that, I think it's about being concerned about teachers and students having a learning education environment," Schoenbeck said. "I don’t think it’s fair to expect a teacher to have to manage the juvenile criminal system and try and teach the 99% of kids that are there.”
Speaking in opposition to the bill was Rob Monson with the Associated School Administrators of South Dakota. He said this proposal would leave the state's youth behind.
“The bottom line is we can’t give up on kids," Monson said. "We must at least try to have an educated workforce here in South Dakota, and these students we’re talking about, ages 16 to 18, these are some of our prime kids looking for workforce. And if we can’t get some tools and some structure into their life from 16 to 18 then it’s gonna be a problem in the future and we’re going to have to start talking about not funding in schools – but the Department of Corrections.”
Sen. Tom Pischke acknowledged the complicated nature of the situation.
“I understand the issues we’re having in the schools and wanting to get these kids out of there so the rest of the 98% of students can have a productive environment, but on the other hand there is something to be said about not giving up on the kids," Pischke said. "The comment was made, what are these kids to do if they can’t take the GED. I don’t believe they can join the military, and so what are they going to do if we send them out of the schools and let them drop out?”
The bill was ultimately moved to the 41st legislative day, killing it for this session.