Texas Education Chief: Stop Hiring Dropouts

Texas Education Commissioner Robert Scott, reeling from criticism that the state is underreporting its dropout rates, called yesterday on the state’s leading business group to institute a voluntary ban on hiring dropouts, the Dallas Morning News reports. “It would send a powerful message to these kids,” Scott argued, and it would be “better for businesses … in the long run.”

The Texas Association of Business doesn’t appear receptive. President Bill Hammond called it “a one-size-fits-all solution that doesn’t fit anybody,” adding that it seemed “hard-hearted” to turn everyone away. Hammond also criticized Scott for fudging the dropout numbers, which business groups believe are closer to 30% than the 12% the state claims. (More Texas stories.)