Maryland has increased its legal drop-out age from 16 years to 17 years, a result of legislation (SB 362) that was passed in 2012 but did not go into effect until July 1, 2015. Under the same legislation, the drop-out age will increase again in 2017, to 18 years. (WMDT)
Two PGCPS graduates have received National Merit Scholarships. Kristen Ramsey and Charles Bond, both 2015 graduates of Eleanor Roosevelt High School, have received college-sponsored merit scholarships from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. (PGCPS)
On August 3rd, Congresswoman Donna Edwards and USDA Deputy Under Secretary Katie Wilson will participate in a tour of William Hall Academy to highlight the Team Up for School Nutrition Success Initiative. (PGCPS)
The real estate market’s health is steadily improving in both Prince George’s and Montgomery Counties, and several communities in Prince George’s are making dramatic gains. Greenbelt, Oxon Hill, and Glenn Dale have seen big increases in home sale prices. Clinton, Mount Rainier, and Capitol Heights had big drops in median days on market. (Washington Post)
A 14-year-old resident of Oxon Hill is being charged as an adult in the fatal stabbing of an 18-year-old man. (WTOP)
The back-to-school information page on PGCPS’s website has this advice for parents registering their child at a PGCPS school: “Registrations completed after August 8 will result in students receiving a temporary grade level schedule with selected general classes until August 30, 2015. Early registration is advised to ensure an “official’ schedule for the 1st day of school!” (PGCPS)
“Dimensions Healthcare System will close Laurel Regional Hospital and replace it with a new $24 million ambulatory care center at the site by 2018, the nonprofit system’s board decided Friday.” (Washington Business Journal)
A group of more than 100 residents gathered near the construction site for the nearly completed police station to protest County Executive Baker’s decision to delay opening of the new police station for another year. (Washington Post)
Prince George's County Advocates for Better Schools 
I can’t decide how I feel about raising the drop-out age. I feel like for some students, it would be better to get out and join the work force earlier (e.g. apprenticeship, technical school, etc.). However, dropping out just to play video games isn’t beneficial to anyone.
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I had the same reaction wrt college. I’m wondering if this keeps teenagers from dropping out of high school to attend college full time (particularly at private colleges in state). UMD will accept full time freshmen who haven’t completed their senior year of high school (contingent on an agreement from their high school to award a diploma after a year of college). In that case, the student is still enrolled in high school, so ok. I wonder what happens to out of state students in that situation, though.
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