Drop Outs anonymous

New reports are arising about the 'dropout' factories that exist in many American schools.
Hundreds of high schools have final graduation rates of less than 50% of those who enter as freshmen. A disgrace. Yes it is. In this technology driven economy when if are behind if you do not have a bachelor's degree, what can you do without a High School diploma? Work at Burger King? Manual labor at an assembly line that will soon be moved to China? Mow laws and personal services? No, life without a high school degree is not a pleasant item to consider. Yet millions of young men and women do so, much to their regret. Many recommendations have been considered which will require billions of dollars and thousands of highly trained personnel.
I have another idea which will not cost a dime. Simply require students to remain in school until their 18th birthday. What a novel approach. Many students under such a requirement will accept the inevitable and graduate since so little extra effort would be required. Exceptions? Three exceptions would be given: a student taking college courses or early admission in an institute of higher education; entering one of the military armed services (a GED could be provided for those with a year or so to finish), or entering an accredited apprentice or skilled workforce program (welding, machine operator, etc) with earning GED as part of the program.
We do not have to have a drop out problem; we bring it upon ourselves. IF we do not wish to have it, do not allow it as an option. How simple could it be?