Report urges Alberta to raise legal dropout age to 17

According to a new report from the United Way of Calgary and Area, teenagers who quit high school cost taxpayers billions and face obstacles to completing their education that can easily be removed. The report recommends the Alberta government raise the legal age to drop out of school from 16 to 17, extend the age cap for publicly funded high school from 19 to 24, establish a dedicated youth opportunities secretariat, and develop a provincial youth employment strategy. In 2009-10, the high school completion rate in Alberta was at 71.5%, one of the lowest in the country. Calgary Herald | Read the report