ATLANTA - A plan to raise the minimum age for dropping out of high school to 17 got a chilly reception from lawmakers Tuesday. <br>
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The bill by Democratic Representative Mable Thomas of Atlanta would force children to stay in school past 16, when currently they can drop out. Thomas told the House education committee that many of those would-be dropouts would go to alternative school for their final year, and some could be encouraged to earn a diploma. <br>
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But committee members worried the plan would cost many millions. And Thomas has not asked state auditors to predict a price tag for raising the dropout age. <br>
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The proposal was sent to a subcommittee for further review.
