For many of us, a high school diploma is a given. We go to high school for four years, graduate, then head to college. We take it for granted.
But for hundreds of thousands of Missourians, it's not a given. These are the ones who didn't make it to graduation. Poor performance, behavior problems, pregnancy and a lack of family structure/support system have all been cited as reasons. For them, graduation isn't a given.
Within a few short years, they often come to realize those minimum-wage jobs, ideal for high school, aren't going to carry them the rest of their lives. So they earn a graduate equivalency degree (GED), only to find out that, to employers, it's more of a red flag than an achievement.
That's why we support Missouri's entry into the nationwide trend of establishing adult high schools.
Last week, we reported MERS Goodwill received the contract to establish four adult high schools in Missouri. These "Goodwill Excel Centers" will be built over the next 21 months to enable people over age 21 to receive high school degrees, free of charge.
The four schools will open in St. Louis, Poplar Bluff, Columbia and Springfield. The closest, in Columbia, will give Jefferson City residents access to an adult high school just 30 miles away. It could open in fall of 2019.
The adult high school Excel Centers will provide curriculum and diplomas identical to those from traditional high schools. The schools will have flexible schedules, "life coaches" for students and English Language Learner options.
The schools also will offer certifications for certain professions, possibly including ones in fields of logistics, materials handling, pharmacy technician, electrical systems technician and information technology.
We commend Rep. Travis Fitzwater, R-Holts Summit, for pushing for such a bill during the previous session. Although his bill didn't pass, another containing similar legislation was passed and signed by Gov. Eric Greitens.
This is a good investment for our state. Initial funding is provided through Goodwill and the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program. About 85 percent of TANF recipients in Missouri don't have high school degrees.
We believe the program has the capability to provide a high school education to thousands of Missourians, giving them a "hand up" to self-sufficiency. Freeing them from dependency of TANF will be a win for them, for taxpayers and for the state's economy.