FRANKFORT, Ky. (3/11/13) – Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear announced today, March 11, 2013, that students in the state of Kentucky under the age of 18 will no longer be allowed to drop out of school.

The following is Governor Beshear’s and Lady Jane Beshear’s statement on this new law.

“Today is a very good day – for our schools, for our students, and for the future workforce of our Commonwealth.  The newly-passed Graduation Bill (SB97) will keep students in school until they turn 18.  In Kentucky alone, 6,000 students drop out before their 18th birthday every year.  As a result of SB97, that number will soon be nothing more than a historical footnote.  

Today, our legislators voted to stop allowing these students to jeopardize their future, and to stop costing Kentucky taxpayers millions of dollars in jails and social services.  This bill will help to break the cycle of poverty, close the revolving door of prison and improve the quality of life for all Kentuckians.

We are deeply grateful to the General Assembly for working together to forge a successful agreement to keep our kids in school.   We especially thank Rep. Jeff Greer and Sen. David Givens for their efforts and their willingness to seek out a compromise on this bill, as well as Sen. Jimmy Higdon, Rep. Reggie Meeks, Rep. Carl Rollins and Sen. Mike Wilson for their continued support.  We look forward to finally signing this bill.”  

SurfKY News
Information provided by the office of Gov. Steve Beshear
Photo provided by SurfKY Graphics

Copyright © 2012 SurfKY News Group, Inc. all rights reserved.  SurfKY.com is an eNewspaper providing local news FREE to Kentucky 24/7.  Read Statewide Kentucky News, Sports, Obituaries and more from the following Kentucky Counties:  Calloway, Christian, Daviess, Fayette (Lexington), Henderson, Hopkins, Logan, McCracken, Muhlenberg, Warren, and Webster Counties as well as the Kentucky Lakes Area.