High school students in South Carolina could lose their license until they are 18, if they drop out; get expelled or obtained over seven unexcused absences. This proposal has not been passed, however Aiken Republican Rep. Tom Young hopes to see this bill in effect by August 2011.There are exceptions in the bill for those who need a license to drive sick a family member to medical treatments. The bill would apply to public schools, home schools and private schools. This proposed legislation will not affect those older than 18.The application is estimated to cost the Department of Motor Vehicles $92000. It will also cost the court between $4500-60000.The goal is lower South Carolina’s 44 percent drop out by offering students a reason to stay in school. “I see what the bill is trying to do, but it will not stop everyone, If they want to drop out then they will dropout,” said Government teacher Mrs. Dooley. Language and student government teacher Tim Anderson is one of the many who believe that the bill will lead to more illegal driving. “The typical drop out already breaks laws, driving illegally will be the least of their offices,” asserted Anderson. District 71 Rep. Nathan Ballentine believes parents are not stopping their kids from dropping out so the state step has to step in to try to curb this problem. Potential dropouts may think twice before dropping out. If the bill works as planed less people will skip school, get expelled, and drop out. “More parents will call the school complaining about their kids being late, because after seven absences a lot of people wouldn’t have a license,” said senior Jermaine Caughman.20 other states including Georgia and Florida have similar laws in place, however there dropout rate is still relatively high. “If they want students to stay in they need to look for incentives that make them chose to stay in, and not punish them for dropping out,” said coach Jack LeGrand. The bill might not bring the dropout rate down to zero, however it may teach students years to come that dropping out only has bad consequences. High school students in South Carolina could lose their license until they are 18, if they drop out; get expelled or obtained over seven unexcused absences. This proposal has not been passed, however Aiken Republican Rep. Tom Young hopes to see this bill in effect by August 2011. There are exceptions in the bill for those who need a license to drive sick a family member to medical treatments. The bill would apply to public schools, home schools and private schools. This proposed legislation will not affect those older than 18. The application is estimated to cost the Department of Motor Vehicles $92000. It will also cost the court between $4500-60000. The goal is lower South Carolina’s 44 percent drop out by offering students a reason to stay in school. “I see what the bill is trying to do, but it will not stop everyone, If they want to drop out then they will dropout,” said Government teacher Mrs. Dooley. Language and student government teacher Tim Anderson is one of the many who believe that the bill will lead to more illegal driving. “The typical drop out already breaks laws, driving illegally will be the least of their offices,” asserted Anderson. District 71 Rep. Nathan Ballentine believes parents are not stopping their kids from dropping out so the state step has to step in to try to curb this problem. Potential dropouts may think twice before dropping out. If the bill works as planed less people will skip school, get expelled, and drop out. “More parents will call the school complaining about their kids being late, because after seven absences a lot of people wouldn’t have a license,” said senior Jermaine Caughman. 20 other states including Georgia and Florida have similar laws in place, however there dropout rate is still relatively high. “If they want students to stay in they need to look for incentives that make them chose to stay in, and not punish them for dropping out,” said coach Jack LeGrand. The bill might not bring the dropout rate down to zero, however it may teach students years to come that dropping out only has bad consequences