BOISE, Idaho – College tuition prices are up and state funding is down in Idaho, creating an affordability roadblock for many students, according to a new report.
The Idaho Center for Fiscal Policy finds students' share of higher-education funding costs has soared over the past four decades. In 1980, tuition and fees accounted for 7% of funding. Today they account for 47%.
Alejandra Cerna Rios, policy director for the Idaho Center for Fiscal Policy, says those higher costs are putting a burden on Idaho students, who are struggling to graduate.
"You can imagine that between the rising cost of tuition, books, living expenses and transportation, these can be very hard to balance with the need to study and, for students who have to earn money, to work a job at the same time," says Cerna Rios.
College completion numbers in Idaho are far below the national average. Of students who enrolled in Idaho's public, four-year institutions in 2011, only 42% had graduated six years later, compared with 60% nationally.
One positive trend the report found is that more students of color are enrolling in college. Since 2010, Latino student enrollment has increased by 101%.
However, researchers also found racial disparities for access to the state's largest grant aid program, the Idaho Opportunity Scholarship.
Cerna Rios says there are enormous benefits to be reaped from students getting a degree, and that should incentivize state lawmakers to invest in higher education.
"Advanced education is one of those proven methods to make sure the economy keeps growing, to make sure that businesses have the types of workers they need, and for overall prosperity for the individual communities in the state," says Cerna Rios.
Idaho ranks 44th for state grant aid per full-time student. But the Opportunity Scholarship has proven to be a valuable resource. According to the report, retention rates for first-year students with the scholarship is 86%, compared with 72% of all first-year students.
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An ethics committee in the Republican-led Iowa House has dismissed a complaint filed by a group of community activists against a state lawmaker for his support of the state's Education Savings Accounts.
The accounts allow parents to use public money for their child's private education. Rep. Dean Fisher, R-Montour, has plans to open a private school in his district and voted in favor of legislation to create the program.
Tim Glaza, special projects director for the group Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement, believes Fisher's vote was clearly a conflict of interest.
"They want to have about 120 students in the school," Glaza pointed out. "If you do the math, that's over $900,000 of public money that will be going to his personal school every year."
While he did not address his plans for a private school in his response, Fisher argued the ethics complaint was politically motivated and said he was fulfilling a campaign promise by voting to create the program.
Supporters of Education Savings Accounts said they know better how to educate their children than public schools and should be able to use their tax dollars to pay for private school. Recent polls show 62% of Iowans oppose such programs, for siphoning money from the public school system.
Glaza called on lawmakers to require Fisher to abstain from voting on future voucher bills.
"They want to expand the voucher program," Glaza outlined. "They could increase the amount. They can expand it to home-school. They can expand what the vouchers can be used for."
Glaza argued any such changes would mean an even bigger hit on public schools. Thirteen states have some form of education savings account or private school vouchers and others are considering them.
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This year's high school graduates will be eligible for 14,000 new scholarships offered through Opportunity Next Colorado, a $21 million investment approved by state lawmakers.
Angie Paccione, Colorado Department of Higher Education executive director, said the goal is to set graduates up for success, and fill high-demand jobs that fuel the state's economy. She said 75% of all jobs in Colorado, and 94% of top jobs that pay enough to sustain a family, require some form of education beyond high school.
"Right now just under 50% of our high school graduates are pursuing post-secondary education," she said. "We want to see that number bump up so that our students have the credentials they need to get the job they want."
Members of the Class of 2024 can get a $1,500 scholarship, which Paccione added should cover the entire tuition costs for certificate programs that can be completed in as little as six months. Graduates can explore scholarships and advising available at OpportunityNext.org, a new platform that spotlights Colorado's fast-growing industries and related education and training programs.
The initiative hopes to reach students from school districts with below-average college or trade school enrollment rates, and districts with low rates of completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Paccione explained many students never see the financial opportunities that are available for pursuing a degree or credential.
"We're doing a lot of things right now that are targeted at those who are either on the margins of society, or they live in population areas where college has not always been seen as a pathway to success," she continued.
This year's high school graduates can choose from a range of programs that can prepare them for careers as engineers, health professionals, computer and IT specialists, as well as construction, family and social sciences, education, advanced manufacturing and more.
"There's eight different pathways that are high-demand positions. And this would allow people to get the training and education that they need, and get into the workforce, and strengthen the economy. So, we're very excited to offer these scholarships," Paccione said.
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The Amesbury School Committee will hear from educators and parents tonight as they rally to prevent more than $2 million in proposed cuts to their schools.
They are asking Kassandra Gove, the mayor and school committee chair, to use any funds at the city's disposal to ensure schools can at least maintain their current level of services.
Cynthia Yetman, president of the American Federation of Teachers Amesbury Local 1033, said schools have worked to support students' mental health but pandemic-related funds have dried up.
"Those types of needs are still there in our district," Yetman pointed out. "We still want to be able to offer those kinds of support."
Yetman noted school operation costs are up and educators, especially paraprofessionals, deserve a living wage. She stressed the town has enough money in reserves to ensure students have what they need. But Gove countered every city department is facing financial hardship.
Gove has proposed a 3% increase in spending, but Elizabeth McAndrews, superintendent of the school district, said it will take at least 8% to continue busing services, ensure ample technology and keep needed support staff.
Kevin Tierney, a teachers' union negotiator and parent of two young boys in the district, worries cuts to music and the arts, library services and after-school programs could cause some families to move elsewhere.
"I firmly believe that how go the schools so goes the town," Tierney contended. "We have to make the investments now, because the price we'll pay later down the road will be so much greater."
Tierney observed the proposed cuts are all parents are talking about at sporting events, birthday parties and day care. The majority, he added, believe the city should increase taxes to ensure students have what they need. Many parents plan to attend tonight's committee meeting to support their students and teachers.
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