MD: Senate approves requiring school attendance until 17

Senate backs bill to keep students in school until 17

Washington Post March 22, 2008

The Maryland Senate approved a bill that would require all children to attend school until age 17, one year longer than currently required. Supporters say that the measure will help curb dropout rates in urban and other struggling school districts. Opponents raised concerns about the additional cost burden this would place on school districts and believe that the money could be better spent on interventions at earlier ages.