For years, parents planned for the future of their children, often for college because it opens many doors of opportunity. Like many fathers, my father did not expect his daughter to go to college. I was lucky to live in a state that bought land for the future anticipating where education sites would be needed for post-war children. 

The state organized teaching plans so every student would be prepared for higher education from grade K to grade 12. As a student I was unaware of the state plan, but I always felt there was a connection between the required classes versus elective classes. In all my classes the majority were planning to go to college and that became my goal as well.

Every year Americans choose a resolution or goal to achieve. Most goals of life take years to achieve and they morph as life moves in one direction or another. I see the federal 2017 goal for education that sets a vision where completion of a higher education is a goal. The government has been encouraging reductions in high school drop-out rates and have seen an increase in high school graduation — a step into higher education opening doors to new worlds.

High performing and low performing schools offer students visions that inspire exploration and learning. It is hard for me to understand why states do not integrate education plans to aim at higher education. Of course it means that they must establish institutional infrastructure that leads students through initial bachelor, master, Ph.D., LLD, and MD degrees. Without that infrastructure students might think the state does not want or value higher education.

The government adopted the "Every Student Succeeds Act" (ESSA), anticipating states would be helping students set higher education as an achievable goal. How is success defined? Many dropouts still get  degrees and many go on to college. A number of students want to move faster attending community college in their junior and senior high school years to enter university at a junior level. How is that encouraged or supported? Teachers and schools should get credit for every student who returns to learning during their lifetime.  

Life lessons that feed life plans succeed when states invest in higher education.

Jarryl Larson

Edgecomb