Poll: Kentucky Parents Favor Raising Dropout Age

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A new poll shows that an overwhelming majority of Kentucky parents favor raising the dropout age to 18 years old.

Currently, students can drop out of school at 16 with a parent’s permission. But Governor Steve Beshear has pushed to change that.

A poll by the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky shows that 85 percent of parents agree with the governor and would like to see the age raised to 18.

 The poll surveyed 1,000 parents in Kentucky.

 Some opponents say raising the dropout age would only keep uninterested or failing students in school and not improve achievement. They've offered compromises, including a bill to create vocational programs for kids who might otherwise drop out.