Require a HS Diploma Before a Driver’s License

Editor, Times-Dispatch: The recent news story, “Virginia May Tie School Status to Diplomas,” suggests that the Virginia Board of Education is worried about the poor rate of high school graduation in the commonwealth. Its concern is well-founded. Its remedy is not.

The story describes a plan to tie graduation rates to the accreditation of the school. I do not believe this plan will accomplish much beyond the further vexation of teachers and administrators in Virginia’s public schools. They are not the problem. If Virginia is serious about raising graduation rates, the commonwealth should require that all citizens have a high school diploma before they can be licensed to drive. No exceptions. Such a requirement would be a strong incentive for students to stay in school. Certainly, anyone already legally licensed to drive would maintain that privilege.

Free public education is a vital, though expensive, part of our nation’s history. It is essential to the health and future of our nation. Linking the privilege to drive to high school graduation would provide a much better return on the huge investment that the taxpayers make to educate the next generation of citizens. The completion of a high school education should be viewed as an important component of citizenship.

Beyond the education benefit, the public might expect to realize considerable benefit in fewer youth involved in traffic accidents in Virginia. The reduction of injuries and loss of life would be another reason to justify this change.

MEMO: CORRESPONDENT OF THE DAY

Originally published by Robinson.

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