Kalamazoo Promise

The North Dakota State Senate today passed a bill out of committee that is modeled after the Kalamazoo Promise.

Senate Bill 2347 would require the state to pay the bulk – and eventually all – of North Dakota students’ tuition bills, if students meet certain criteria.

Requirements include being a state resident since kindergarten and completing four units of math and science in high school.

Students also must earn at least a 23 on their ACT cumulative composite score or math score.

I like this idea.  These days, higher education the key to social mobility and the American Dream.  By giving kids a path to improve themselves, we help to build a better society for everyone.  Although the ACT has its flaws, I think that it is a far better benchmark of academic potential than the MEAP.

Given our state's current economic woes, it is vital that we develop a talented workforce and keep our kids in state.  For us, increasing access to higher education is even more important than it is for North Dakotans.