State funding for early college essential

Gov. Ted Strickland’s latest budget proposal eliminates funding for all nine Early College High Schools across the state, including Youngstown Early College on the campus of Youngstown State University. This move puts in severe jeopardy the future of these innovative schools that have proven to be highly successful in preparing high school students to succeed in college.

While we understand Ohio’s dire economic situation, we call on the governor and members of the House and Senate to maintain the state’s financial commitment to the Early College programs and the proven success and hope that they bring to so many young people on the margins of the state’s educational system.

The programs are designed so that low-income youth, first-generation college goers, and other young people underrepresented in higher education can simultaneously earn a high school diploma and up to two years of college credit — tuition free.

It is, indeed, a bold concept. And, after more than five years in operation, it is a concept that clearly works. This year, the Ohio Department of Education has deemed the Youngstown Early College a School of Excellence. All seniors in the YEC program passed the Ohio Graduation Test this year. Statewide, more than one out of three Early College graduates will leave high school with both a high school diploma and two years of college credit or an associate’s degree. More than 80 percent of this year’s Early College graduates have earned at least a semester of college credits, a tipping point identified by some experts as substantially increasing the odds of further college success.

Higher education goals

To eliminate the programs at this time — after they have experienced such success — runs counter to the governor’s and Chancellor Eric Fingerhut’s long-stated goals to increase the number of Ohioans with a college degree and to increase the graduation rate among those who start college.

Over the past six years, the KnowledgeWorks Foundation and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation have invested $18 million to create the Early College programs, in addition to $22 million invested by the state of Ohio. President Obama himself has identified high school reform a priority in his administration. Eliminating Early Colleges at this time could discourage philanthropic investment in such innovative initiatives in the future and could result in the loss of millions of dollars in federal stimulus funding.

These are tough times for us all — cities, school districts, universities and the state — and we have all faced very difficult choices. We are strongly committed to the Youngstown Early College and to all Early College High School programs across the state because we have seen, firsthand, how they transform young people into successful citizens and productive members of Ohio’s economy, a result that we all can agree is worthy of the state’s full support.

We encourage parents, teachers and others to let their voices be heard in support of Youngstown Early College and all Early College High School programs across the state by calling Gov. Ted Strickland’s office at 614-466-3555 or by e-mail at this link, http://www.governor.ohio.gov/Assistance/ContacttheGovernor/tabid/150/Default.aspx.

X Wendy Webb is superintendent of the Youngstown City School District, David C. Sweet is president of Youngstown State University and Jay Williams is mayor of Youngstown.