States consider no - cost college By Steven Dubois Associated Press PORTLAND, Ore. -Not h i ng sparks consumer demand like the word free, and politicians in some states have proposed the idea of providing that incentive to get young people to attend community college. Amid worries U.S. youths are losing a global skills race, supporters of a no-tuition policy see expanding access to community college as way to boost educational attainment so the emerging workforces in their states look good to employers. Of course, such plans arent free for taxpayers, and legislators in Oregon and Tennessee are deciding whether free tuition regardless of family income is the best use of public money. A Mississippi bill passed the state House, but then failed in the Senate. The debate comes in a midterm election year in which income inequality and the burdens of student debt are likely going to be significant issues. I think everybody agrees that with a high school education by itself, there is no path to the middle class, said State Sen. Mark Hass, who is leading the no-tuition effort in Oregon. There is only one path, and it leads to poverty. And poverty is very expensive. Hass said free community college and increasing the number of students who earn college credit while in high school are keys to addressing a crisis in education debt. Taxpayers will ultimately benefit, he said, because its cheaper to send someone to community college than to have him or her in the social safety net. Research from the Oregon University System shows Oregonians with only a high school degree make less money than those with a degree and thus contribute fewer tax dollars. They are also more likely to use food stamps and less likely to do volunteer work. A Gallup poll released in late February found 94 percent of Americans believe its somewhat or very important to have a degree beyond high school, yet only 23 percent of respondents said higher education is affordable to everyone who needs it. As at four-year universities, the price of attending a community college has risen sharply because of reduced state support and higher costs for health care and other expenses. The average annual cost of tuition nationally is about $3,300, and books and fees add to the bill. Its cheaper than university, but expensive enough to dissuade someone whos unsure whether to pursue higher education. In Tennessee, Republican Gov. Bill Haslam wants to use lottery money to create a free community college program for high school graduates. Meanwhile, Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber signed a bill March 11 ordering a state commission to examine whether free tuition is feasible. Among other things, the study will determine how much money the program will cost, whether the existing campus buildings can accommodate extra students and whether to limit free tuition to recent graduates.
Posted on: Wed, 19 Mar 2014 16:59:43 +0000
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