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
    133·
    9 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
      124·
      9 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

      • partial_accumen@lemmy.world
        191·
        9 months ago

        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

      • jubejube@lemmus.orgEnglish
        72·
        9 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.

      • Twentytwodividedby7@lemmy.world
        3·
        9 months ago

        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.