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Derek Maul: Education Is Our Best Bet For Prosperity

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DEREK MAUL

Columnist

Published: May 28, 2008

Over the next couple of weeks, 28 public and more than a dozen private high-school graduation ceremonies are scheduled across Hillsborough County.

A recent school district news release reported that an anticipated 10,471 public school students will receive diplomas, from Sickles High School's projected 692 graduates to Pepin Academy's 31.

Of course, that's not every student who entered ninth grade four years ago. Hillsborough schools have a graduation rate of 79.1 percent (November 2007). That's better than the state average of 72.4 percent, but there's a long way to go.

But what's next? Today's uncertain economy, combined with escalating college tuition and fee schedules, is putting post-secondary education increasingly out of reach.

The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that 25 to 30 percent of U.S.-born Floridians hold a college degree. We face a very real danger of seeing that number plummet, because too few of this year's graduates can afford to translate their celebration into college work.

What many people fail to understand, in the middle of budget cuts and doom-and-gloom revenue projections, is that an educated Florida is probably our best bet for prosperity. Almost every significant social problem has its roots in poverty, and the best way to fight poverty is to educate people.

University admissions personnel like to say college degrees impact lifetime earning potential. The facts back them up. Numbers cited at www.census.gov document average annual earnings of $18,900 for high school dropouts, $25,900 for high school graduates, $45,400 for college graduates and $99,300 for workers with professional degrees.

In other words, any revenue set aside to facilitate the learning of our high school graduates is money well spent. Education is a direct investment in the future of Florida. A well-educated citizenry is always in our best interest as a state, and a commitment to affordable postsecondary schooling should be second only to dropout prevention when considering our priorities as a community.

So, rather than the platitudes usually thrown around along with the caps and diplomas, I'd like to speak the following practical words to our newest graduates: First, cut into pieces every new credit card that comes your way. Second, if you're not already headed for school, talk to the fine folks over at Hillsborough Community College. Third, look at the numbers I cited on potential earnings and draw your own conclusions. We need your future as much as you do.

Finally, and this is directed at the decision makers who already have degrees piled high and deep, let's not forget what it was like to be 18. If we really believe in our young people like we've claimed all these years, then we won't pull the rug out from under them now.

Columnist Derek Maul can be reached at derekmaul@gmail.com.

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