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.
It says you’re smart enough and driven enough to do literally the bare minimum for your own education, and sure, you follow the rules enough to pass.
But spoilers, that’s what the community colleges want too. Smart enough, driven enough, following instructions enough to pass.
And spoilers again, that’s what employers want too.
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The tiny subset of people who dropped from high school, never got their GED, and want to take community college seriously could just… get their GED first? Compared to the time and cost of completing a 2 year degree, obtaining a GED is very small barrier to entry.
You’re not articulating very well what your issue is.
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GEDs are high school equivalency credentials. GED test scores are treated the same as high school credits by practically all institutions.
I’m not sure why this bill would exclude GED holders since there’s no practical reason to, so I’d assume they are included until we know for sure.
i would assume not, because it’s michigan