SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - To help give students every opportunity to receive a high school diploma, state Rep. Mike Smiddy, D-Hillsdale, voted to pass legislation extending eligibility for completing high school from 21 to 23.
"In today`s economy, it`s very difficult to be competitive without at least a high school diploma," Smiddy said. "Without a completing school, young adult have reduced earning power and few options for their future, and we should let students who are committed to completing high school the chance to do so."
Currently, students who drop out of school can return to finish until they turn 21. Smiddy supported House Bill 3687, which increases this age to 23, allowing student additional time to overcome the developmental, environmental and social obstacles they face to complete their studies. Returning students over the age of 21 would not be able to go back to regular classrooms with traditional-aged high school students. Instead, they can utilize Truant Alternative and Optional Education Programs and the Illinois Hope and Opportunity Pathways through Education program to achieve a diploma instead of a General Educational Development (GED) certificate, as current law provides.
"Many intelligent, hard-working young adults still carry the stigma of not having a diploma when searching for a job," Smiddy said. "This measure will help young adults who want to improve themselves an opportunity to access the tools they need to finish school."
House Bill 3687 received bipartisan support to pass the Illinois House and now awaits a vote in the Senate.
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