As the 2017 legislative session wraps up we’re already getting a whiff of one education bill in consideration next year.
Republican Rep. Paul Mosley, of Lake Havasu City, wants to challenge Arizona’s compulsory education law, which requires students stay in school until 10th grade.
He has suggested Arizona revert to the 1980’s when students were legally required to attend school only up to eighth grade, and not at all if a parent wants to keep a child home.
Mosley questioned the current system of forcing parents to send their children to school and asked if it truly is creating a better educated society.
"Do you know what our dropout rate is right now? One of the highest in the world," he said. "Do you know what our incarceration rate is? The highest in the world. So how's compulsory education working for us?"
He went on to suggest parents and students don't appreciate free education because it is free.
"Maybe we'd value education more, seeing it as a privilege instead of something for which there is no choice," Mosley said.
He has not committed to writing legislation that would repeal Arizona’s current law.
Arizona’s State Superintendent said she would weigh in only if a bill is introduced next session.