Senate Increases Schooling Requirement

At what age should young people in Wyoming decide they have had enough education and conclude their studies?  Currently, state law says the minimum age is 16 to leave school.  However, Senate File 96 seeks to raise that minimum age to 18 and Teton County Senator Leland Christensen says it is actually drawing fire from some state residents. Christensen says there was some concern by some groups that the bill would interfere with parental rights excessively.  Consequently, he says, the Senate amended the bill to include that a parent or guardian could check a student out of school if that is right for the family.  That would have to be done through the principal or counselor.  However, he points out, “what that really does is reduce or cut out that opportunity for a 16-year-old to make a decision that might seem good that day but could have life-long consequences by taking themselves out of school.” In addition to the exceptions being amended into the original bill, the bill also would allow school boards from each district the option of exempting a child from the requirement if they believe it appropriate.  The bill was passed on second reading as amended but a third reading has been delayed.