11mo ago

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to ask lawmakers to make community college free for all high school graduates

apnews.com Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to ask lawmakers to make community college free for all high school graduates

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is planning to urge lawmakers to pass legislation that would provide free community college tuition for all high school graduates.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer plans to urge state lawmakers to pass legislation that would provide free community college tuition for all high school graduates during her sixth State of the State speech on Wednesday.

Whitmer also prioritized community college access in her annual address last year. State lawmakers responded by temporarily lowering the minimum age for free tuition from 25 to 21 years old. The Democratic governor now wants to expand the program by removing all age requirements for free community college, according to details of her plan provided to The Associated Press by Whitmer’s office.

Whitmer’s administration created the Michigan Reconnect program in 2021, aiming to increase the percentage of the state’s workforce with a postsecondary degree or training from 50.5% to 60% by 2030. It made Michigan residents 25 years and older eligible for free community college tuition.

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88 comments

why limit it to only high school graduates?
- You generally have to graduate high school or complete the GED to be eligible for enrollment in higher education. This has nothing to do with ability, it's just the minimum for entry
- I would assume those who could actually reasonably pass.
  Saying that, over here you automatically get uni entrance when you hit 20 so those who grew after high-school aren't disadvantaged. Have somethings similar would be good.
  
  being a high school graduate says zero about intelligence, and just shows you can blindly follow rules
  
  If you think college doesn't also require you to follow blind rules, I've got bad news for you. A good chunk of life is the requirement to follow stupid rules. In that way school is a pretty good preparation for life after school.
  
  if you think college is like high school, then you didn't go to college...
  you see no difference between picking your own classes and being programmed to work in a factory?
  
  if you think college is like high school, then you didn’t go to college…
  Thats a strawman. I never said college is like high school, I said going to college does not mean you avoid having to follow rules, even silly or stupid ones.
  you see no difference between picking your own classes and being programmed to work in a factory?
  You may not be aware, but in college while you do get to pick a portion of your own classes, for your chosen program of study there are certain required classes that are required or even prerequisite classes you have to take to take the class you want to pick. This is a good example of rules you have to follow.
  
  And? Dealing with arbitrary rules and systems is a major life skill.
  
  It says you're smart enough and driven enough to do literally the bare minimum for your own education, and sure, you follow the rules enough to pass.
  But spoilers, that's what the community colleges want too. Smart enough, driven enough, following instructions enough to pass.
  And spoilers again, that's what employers want too.
- My guess is it has to do with effective use of resources. The tuition is free to the student but not the taxpayer. Teachers and administrators don’t work for free. If you can’t get through state funded education up to high school then the chances probably aren’t great for college. Those seeking a second chance could always complete a ged and get the benefit, hopefully.
  
  If you can’t get through state funded education up to high school then the chances probably aren’t great for college
  not true at all, the types of people that don't do well in high school are usually the smartest ones
  
  not true at all, the types of people that don’t do well in high school are usually the smartest ones
  There's a difference in "not doing well" and "not graduating". Also there are lots of different ways you could define the "smartest ones", but ability to earn an income is a at least one indicator of success. Using that metric the data doesn't support your assertion:
  
  source
  
  Oh, don't you wish.
  
  There is no empirical data to support that at all. If you have some we'd love to see it.
  While it is not unheard of for someone to do poorly in school and still be smart, education is a clear predictive variable for future success. Period.
  Also too, studies have shown that a direct outcome of improving starting wages and reducing unemployment is a reduction in violent crime. Also better median income in the state also results in better taxes for the state.
  This is by no means a giveaway. This is an investment in the state that pays many dividends. By the way Tennessee did this several years ago. It's a net benefit for society.
  
  I can see where you are coming from and do not disagree. However these decisions have to be made in aggregate and proportionally, the “geniuses” that failed or dropped out of highchool, are most likely a small minority compared to the overall population.

88 comments