Truancy is a huge problem today in Iowa and in the United States as well.

I think it is very important that we take steps in combating this problem and get children back in schools. The recent modifications to HF275 are making monumental changes to help combat this problem. I think it is so important to move the compulsory attendance age up to 18. I don’t believe 16-year-olds are at the maturity level to make the decision of whether or not they should drop out of school. Moving this age up will not only help the kids themselves, but it will also help our country by hopefully lowering the unemployment rate.

As recent research has shown, the poverty rate in the United States is on the rise. By having more people with high school diplomas, it will increase the amount of people with jobs and therefore, decrease poverty. Having more kids who graduate high school will also increase the number of people who pursue higher education. This will also help the population as well as Iowa.

Another important modification to this bill is putting restrictions on driver’s licenses for kids who decide to not attend school. I think making this big modification and threatening to take away something so important is a great way to ensure kids stay in school until they are 18. If kids do not even have a high school diploma, then there is no reason for them to be driving.

I think the legislature has finally got it right with the change in this bill. Education is the foundation of our future, and I think putting more emphasis on it will only help our future. I ask you to ensure that these modifications stay in place and to help make education more important within our government.