Why are there so many states where children are allowed to drop out of high school before they're 18?

I can understand someone starting their ideal career without a diploma, it's certainly possible, but given that it's relatively rare shouldn't dropping out before 18 only be permitted on a case-by-case basis?

The available evidence says that "extending the age of mandatory school attendance reduces lifetime crime involvement" (pdf). Given the way that politicians and the public at-large valorize education, why is it that there are so many states where kids are allowed to drop out?

Submitted May 23, 2021 at 03:27PM by VauntedSapient https://ift.tt/349ZQO5