State Sen. Lester Jackson pushes for legislation to raise Georgia’s minimum dropout age from 16 to 17
State Sen. Lester Jackson introduced Senate Bill 3, a proposed bill that aims to raise the minimum dropout age from 16 to 17 in the state of Georgia. (Pixabay Images)
State Sen. Lester Jackson, a Democrat who represents Senate District 2, says Georgia’s current law that allows students to drop out of school at the age of 16 is an antiquated law that was created in the 1940s when Georgia’s labor market was heavily dependent on agriculture.
On Wednesday’s edition of “Closer Look,” Sen. Jackson told program host Rose Scott that things have changed in the 21st century in that Georgia is no longer an agricultural community but a technologically advanced community.
Jackson further explained that he introduced Senate Bill 3, a proposed bill that aims to raise the minimum dropout age from 16 to 17 in the state of Georgia, because he wants young people to earn a diploma and build skills so that they can have better outcomes.
“We want young people in our great state to be independent, to live and work with liveable wages and be an asset to Georgia and our country versus a liability, ” said Jackson.
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