It looks like the nanny state is about to get a little larger:
“These new initiatives are a creative way for us to continue improving graduation rates, classroom instruction and student and community involvement,” Richardson said.
Starting next year, eighth-graders would have to be near proficient or better on a standardized test to be eligible for a driver’s license when they come of age, while ninth-graders would have to have an attendance rate of at least 90 percent.
If students fail to reach either benchmark, they would have to wait six months before getting their license. They would be in for a 12-month delay if they fail to reach both benchmarks or if they drop out of school before age 16.
Funny, I always thought it was up to a parent to decide when their minor child could drive. My guess is that this is going to get challenged in court and ruled unconstitutional. At least it should be for a variety of reasons. Not the least of which is:
The Public Education Department still needs to work out many details, including options for special education and homeschool students as well as how private schools would participate.
Nothing like unveiling a new initiative without actually working out the details of the new initiative. The more government tries to overstep it bounds into parenting, the more likely parents are to look for alternative means of educating their children. I know I will.