For millions of high school students, getting a driver's license is a dream, but, increasingly, states and school districts are linking the chance to get a license with requirements that students stay in school.
Many states including West Virginia and Tennessee already have such laws in place.
In 1988, while serving in the state legislature, Patrick Murphy introduced a bill that made West Virginia the first state in the country to adopt a so-called attend-and-drive law. Murphy says the law was an attempt to keep students in school longer at a time when the state was dealing with a serious dropout problem and a lack of money. Poca High School Principal, Vic Donalson, says many of his students really want the independence a driver's license can bring and that he's seen the law work firsthand.
"We have had several students that have been borderline students, and I feel just because of the current policy, it's either kept them in school or it's given them an incentive to do better because, you know, kids love to drive," he said.
Although the law has worked in some cases, the law doesn't always impact students who consider dropping out.
According to reports, the dropout rate in West Virginia has fallen some over the years, but no one has shown this law was the cause. Despite that, 21 states have followed West Virginia's lead in adopting similar legislation, and the policies vary from state to state.
For example, in Arkansas, students must comply with attendance policies and maintain a 2.0 grade average in order to stay eligible to drive, while, in Mississippi, teenagers who want to drive must simply show proof of enrollment.
Three states, Iowa, Minnesota and New York, have attend-and-drive bills under consideration.
Quotes
"I mean, I like the idea of having the motivation to do good in order to get my license," - Chelsea Shamblin.
"We have had several students that have been borderline students, and I feel just because of the current policy, it's either kept them in school or it's given them an incentive to do better because, you know, kids love to drive," Vic Donalson, principal.
Warm Up Questions
1. What does the word 'incentive' mean?
2. Do you have an incentive to go to school and graduate?
Discussion Questions
1. Do you think students should be given incentives to stay in school and graduate? Why or why not?
2. Do you think the lure of getting a driver's license keeps students in school? Why or why not?
Additional Resources
Why I Go to School: A Student Multimedia Project
