HELENA – Superintendent of Public Instruction Denise Juneau is asking lawmakers to support initiatives that build on efforts to increase graduation rates.
Juneau spoke to a joint session of the Montana House and Senate on Monday. The Democrat is beginning her second term.
She says that the state’s students are doing well on tests. Juneau reports dropout rates are decreasing and graduation rates are climbing as part of an initiative called Graduation Matters.
Juneau asked lawmakers to help with the Graduation Matters program, to expand the Montana Digital Academy that offers online courses and provide more school technology funding.
Juneau says the compulsory attendance age needs to be increased from 16 years old to 18 years old and that state financial support for schools should include funding for 19-year-old students.