News briefs from around Kentucky at 1:58 a.m. EST

JCPS prepares for increased dropout age

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) - Jefferson County school administrators are trying to prepare for the dropout age in the district to increase to 18 next year.

Although the move has been applauded, administrators told The Courier-Journal (http://cjky.it/1qSjZBi) that they expect an increase of about 2,800 more students who will be labeled as habitually truant. In addition, officials will have to bring back students who have already dropped out, but will be too young to stay out of school under the new rules.

Jefferson County officials are working to identify the short-term impacts and bolster responses for at-risk students.

"This has never been done before," said Sam Rich, director of pupil personnel for Jefferson County Public Schools. "The bar just raised."

The increase in dropout age goes into effect statewide in 2017, but it is starting earlier in some school districts including JCPS.

"I have rough ideas of how to deal with this but I won't know until I get in and see it," said Rich, who supports the higher dropout age but noted that it will create logistical issues.

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