Funding limit that caps Montana high school graduation age a ‘travesty,’ legislators say

One more Missoula student can now earn a high school diploma – a feat that needed school board action because she’s 20 years old.

The Missoula County Public Schools board of trustees unanimously approved an exception to a board policy Tuesday night: waiving the district’s age limit to allow a 20-year-old student to earn her high school diploma.

Board policy states that the district won’t admit a child who is 19 years old or older on or before Sept. 10 of the year they intend to enroll.

That doesn’t come directly from state law, but state school funding effectively forces school districts to enact an age limit.

Montana is one of two states that doesn’t provide funding for students in school after they turn 19. Maine is the other, though its limit is higher at 20 years old.

CHELSEA DAVIS [email protected]

Full Story: http://missoulian.com/news/local/funding-limit-that-caps-montana-high-school-graduation-age-a/article_f1faba5b-7284-5f6b-a968-4426635bbb87.html