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CAPE FEAR MEMORIAL BRIDGE CLOSURE: UPDATES, RESOURCES, AND CONTEXT

Brunsco School Board Seeks to Raise Dropout Age

By Peter Biello

Wilmington, NC – The Brunswick County School Board has recommended changing the required minimum drop-out age from 16 to 18. A Report by the Board of North Carolina Schools says almost 80-percent of dropouts occur between ages 16 and 18. Brunswick County School Board Vice-Chairperson Shirley Babson says the current drop-out age is antiquated.

The big reason the age was set at 16 was because we had a farming community and kids dropped out to help kids on the farm, so it didn't make that much difference, but now things have changed.

Babson says students need a high school diploma to increase their chances of success. She also says the she will seek funding for vocational education, so students will have the option of learning a trade while earning their high school diploma.