Artur Davis reveals dropout plan

Published 12:11 pm Tuesday, August 4, 2009

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — U.S. Rep. Artur Davis, a Democratic candidate for governor, has unveiled his plan to raise Alabama’s school dropout age from 17 to 18.

At a news conference Tuesday in Montgomery, Davis proposed after-school programs to help students at risk of dropping out of school. He also called for the revocation of the driver’s license of any student who drops out of school for non-medical reasons.

Davis is also proposing a tax credit of $500 per child for low-income parents, but they would lose the tax credit if their child skips school chronically, drops out, or threatens or uses violence against teachers or students.

Email newsletter signup

Davis did not have a total price tag for his plan, but said he would pay for it out of existing education revenue.