At a time when education beyond high school is more
important than ever before Idaho lags behind most other states in the numbers of high
school graduates pursuing further education. Idaho's rate is only 47 percent compared to a
national average of 65 percent.
More Idahoans need to be pursuing two-year professional-technical
training or university education if they are going to compete for the good jobs available
in this century. And more trained and educated graduates will be needed to meet the needs
of Idaho technical and other industries.
So it makes sense for the state to invest in:
1. Expansion of professional-technical programs.
2. Expansion of community colleges and state universities.
3. More scholarships for students and a reduced rate of growth of
student fees.
Student fees at Idaho universities and Lewis-Clark State College have
more than doubled in the last decade and in recent years have increased at an average 7.7
percent. After legislatures adjourn without providing adequate funds the universities ask
the state Board of Education for another round of fee increases to help close the gap.
While Idaho's fees are relatively low compared to other states, they
are a significant barrier for students. Most students borrow heavily and many graduate
with extreme debt loads.
At Idaho State University, 69 percent have student loans, averaging
$6,678 per year; at Boise State, the numbers are 63.6 percent and $3,922; at the
University of Idaho, 58.7 percent and $6,248; and at Lewis-Clark, 54.5 percent and $4,850.
If fees continue to grow at the same rate, a student entering one of
those schools next fall and finishing in four years would pay an average of $9,300 with
current fees and an added $1,841 with fee increases.
Two remedies are being proposed this session of the state legislature:
1. Provide sufficient funds for professional-technical programs,
community colleges and the universities to allow a moratorium on fee increases for the
next fiscal year. Even a one year moratorium would save a student entering this fall $700
over four years.
2. Offer any high school graduate, anyone who completes a GED, or any
home school graduate a $1,000 first-year scholarship if they qualify for admission to any
public or private college or university, any state-sponsored professional-technical school
or any community college. This would offer an incentive to complete high school and should
help improve the state's 47 percent continuation rate.
Funds are available for both the moratorium and the scholarships within
the state's existing revenue structure.
State Rep. Ken Robison, D-Boise, is a member of the Joint
Finance-Appropriations Commitee.
