Is college a right or a privilege? If President Obama has his way then it will soon be a right for every single high school graduate in this country regardless of income or social class. The premise is simple: extend the already guaranteed number educational years every student is eligible to receive by two. Instead of the guaranteed K-12, students would now be guaranteed an Associates Degree if they are willing to work for it.
The plan is based largely off of a program called '
Tennessee Promise' and would provide for two years of free tuition at a community college as long as a student is holding a C+ average, is making steady progress towards their degree, and attending school at least half-time. Many other cities and states have similar programs, but the President's proposal would make it universal throughout the country.
President Obama unveiled his proposal in a video earlier today:
It is generally understood that a high school degree is no longer suitable for the vast majority of careers in today's ever changing world. Now, if the President is able to convince Congress to go along with his plan, every single high school graduate will have the ability to pursue an Associates Degree at no cost.
The fact that President Obama made his announcement in one of the reddest states in the Union should not be brushed over. Modeling his plan off of a deeply conservative states initiative shows that education is one of the few bipartisan issues that brings together both Democrats and Republicans.
What is more vital to a prosperous nation than having an educated public? Let's join together and agree that every single student should have a right to attain a college degree. This isn't a Democratic issue, nor is it a Republican issue. This is an American issue.