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.

    • jubejube@lemmus.orgEnglish
      0·
      5 months ago

      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.

      • xor@infosec.pub
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        5 months ago

        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

        • jubejube@lemmus.orgEnglish
          0·
          5 months ago

          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.

          • xor@infosec.pub
            0·
            5 months ago

            i dropped out of high school and was the smartest student in my community college in computer science…
            it’s going to vary a lot, but in general high school is not about education… it’s route memorization, no critical thinking… no questioning the teacher (or your disruptive)
            … even the schedule has been proven to be very unhealthy for teenagers… can’t wear the clothes that you like…
            hell, now a days students have school shooter drills… you think maybe some curriculum kids might just not fucking go!!!

            in college you’re treated like an adult, encouraged to question things, you choose your own curriculum…
            also, in california community college is free for ALL adult residents, and it’s been a pretty good thing.

            the point is, everyone should have a chance if they want one. especially a dropout who needs it the most

            but shit like this is why talented youths are moving away from michigan as soon as possible (i did)

    • Twentytwodividedby7@lemmy.world
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      5 months ago

      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

    • HappycamperNZ@lemmy.world
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      5 months ago

      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.