Jeff Sandstoe / Roundup
During a recent town hall meeting at Pierce College, a state official called community colleges “California’s greatest treasures.” Unfortunately, the rest of the United States government doesn’t mirror these sentiments.
President Barack Obama and his administration have pushed forward their bill for education reform through the federal stimulus package—the Race to the Top Fund.
This fund would allocate $4.35 billion nationally to states that show positive changes in their schools. California could earn approximately $700 million from the fund.
It’s a great incentive for states to fix their education systems and help those in dire need of financial assistance. However, this money cannot be used on higher education.
Why not Pierce College?
With budget cuts, students in many California State Universities aren’t able to get the classes they need because they simply aren’t being offered.
Pierce and the rest of the Los Angeles Community College District are no different.
Winter intersession classes have been cut drastically. The spring semester alone is scheduled to have 225 fewer classes.
This $700 million could help stop our classes from being cut and help students transfer to universities that will have classes.
Why have community colleges been overlooked?
Does the view that a college education is optional make these institutions undeserving of federal money?
In today’s world, it’s no longer optional.
Without a college degree, the high-paying jobs aren’t available. College, in a sense, is now mandatory.
The Race to the Top Fund should focus on the entire education system for the state, not just the beginning of it.
Although the government’s movement to focus on education should be applauded, it shouldn’t be at the cost of college students sitting out on the sidelines.
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