Wisconsin provides college education to high achievers

Higher education will become a guaranteed reality for approximately 75,000 Wisconsin eighth graders who sign a state-sanctioned contract promising to uphold standards.

The Wisconsin Covenant was first offered to the state's eighth graders on May10. Participants are required to earn a high school diploma, maintain citizenship by participating in their community, take college prepatory courses and maintain a B average in high school in order to be eligible.

In return, the state will guarantee a space for them in one of its universities or technical colleges. In addition, those students in need of financial assistance will receive aid in the form of work study, grants and scholarships.

Dan Hurley, director of policy analysis and state relations at the American Association of State Colleges and Universities, said the Wisconsin Covenant agreement is a "comprehensive, well-rounded program." In addition to the guarantee, a smart strategy for the state to employ a merit-based and financial based component will be included.

"The most important aspect of the program is that it reaches out to the youth population, especially our low-income youth," Hurley said. "It plants that seed early in eighth graders so that they realize they can attain a higher education and be successful.

"While most evidence shows most eighth graders from low-income families aspire to complete a higher education,only one in three students actually enter college."

Hurley said it is also noteworthy that the Covenant is not just a "free-handout." Students are expected to abide by the guidelines outlined by the program throughout high school in order to maintain their eligibility. Though the program will cost an estimated $10 million, he said it is a great return investment and that the cost is minimal.

"A lot of states see an out-migration of young talent when students attend college out-of-state and it is important that they seek progressive alternative strategies for economic development," he said. "I think it will set a precedent and hopefully we will se similar programs pop up throughout the country."

Education professor Frank B. Murray said the program appears to be reasonable and may produce some increased college attendance in Wisconsin.

"The program is likely to have its effect on those who had not considered college or thought college was for other kids," Murray said. "The Wisconsin contract would bring home the idea that college could be for them and that realization alone could make all the difference."

He said the program is not a new concept and that New York City once offered a free college education to high school graduates who maintained a certain grade point average and scored within a certain percentage on the state's standardized examinations.

Rolf Wegenke, president and CEO of the Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, was unavailable for comment due to travels with Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle to promote the new plan.

Betty Womack, former member of the Wisconsin Higher Educational Aids Board, said the contract is an outstanding program and while it may be costly in the short-term, the state will be saving money in the long-term by increasing the earning potential of low-income students and enabling them to take better care of themselves and their families in the future.

"It is a comprehensive, pro-active approach to the gorilla in the living room," Womack said.

She said in 2007, approximately 40 to 50 percent of students from low-income families will not graduate from high school.

"People want to blame the schools, but it's the community and the government that is failing the students," Womack said. "The covenant prevents this tide of mediocrity and low expectations and low performance."