FRANKFORT — It took four years but Gov. Steve Beshear and Rep. Jeff Greer, D-Brandenburg, Monday got their wish to raise the high school dropout age to 18.

But it took a little help form Republican Sen. David Givens of Greensburg.

The Democrats agreed to a compromise proposal by Givens, which will initially make the raised dropout age voluntary for individual districts but will then make it mandatory statewide after 55 districts implement it.

Greer has pushed the bill for four sessions, claiming it is necessary to “change the culture” in Kentucky, which has a high number of dropouts. Many Republicans resisted the idea because, they said, such students are often disruptive if there isn’t an appropriate alternative program for them — something many districts can’t afford.

Givens’ bill would originally have made the 18-year-old standard voluntary. But after Beshear, Greer and Givens met on the bill, the House adopted an amendment requiring all districts to implement within four years after 55 percent of the districts voluntarily adopt it.

While urging the Senate to accept the House amendment Monday afternoon, Givens said he believes the compromise is the best agreement either side can get and it gives districts time to develop adequate alternative programs.

The measure passed both chambers easily, but not without some debate in the House, which stirred some emotions.

Greer called the compromise “a tremendous victory for our state.” While it wasn’t precisely in the form he originally wanted, Greer said it nevertheless starts the state toward a dropout age of 18.

But Rep. Ben Waide, R-Madisonville, raised Democrats’ ire when he characterized most dropouts “violent offenders. Most of them beat up other students and beat up teachers.”

That set off boos and jeers and prompted several Democrats to challenge Waide. Rep. Johnny Bell, D-Glasgow, asked Waide what data he had to back up the statement, but Waide said his evidence is “anecdotal.”

Rep. Derrick Graham, D-Frankfort, a retired teacher at Frankfort High School, said he took offense to Waide’s comments and talked about the problems many students face: hunger, lack of support at home or witnesses to domestic violence in their homes.

Graham said many such students, given the interest and support of even one adult, often become high school graduates and productive citizens.

Rep. Charlie Miller, D-Louisville, a former high school principal, said his school had an alternative program and he’s observed others and “they work.”

Waide wasn’t convinced.

He claimed Greer’s statements in support of a higher dropout age actually often supported Waide’s contention. He was referring to Greer’s quotation of statistics which show dropouts are more likely to earn less or get into trouble with the law.

Waide said he had no statistical data, only anecdotal evidence which came from “teacher after teacher after teacher after teacher.” He said he’d never found a teacher who supported the bill.

The bill was endorsed by the Kentucky Education Association.

Greer also responded to Waide’s assertions, saying, “I take great offense to that. My father dropped out. It was a different era back then, but I assure you he was not a violent offender. No sir!”

In the end, the amended bill passed the House 88-10, with nine other Republicans joining Waide in voting no.

Givens then urged the Republican-controlled Senate to pass the amended bill. It did, 33-5.

The bill now goes to Beshear for his signature.

RONNIE ELLIS writes for CNHI News Service and is based in Frankfort. Reach him at rellis@cnhi.com. Follow CNHI News Service stories on Twitter at www.twitter.com/cnhifrankfort.