We can't continue to let Indiana's education system slip through the cracks. We can't let it become another story of what "almost" happened, an almost well-educated work force that helped stimulate the economy.
Gov. Mitch Daniels made this point during his state address last night to open the General Assembly. It's something we've already heard countless times by groups like the Lumina Foundation and others — it's time Indiana, and the country, stopped being passed over.
Fostering education growth was definitely at the top of the agenda. For a man rumored to make a run for presidency, Daniels seemed to have quite a few ideas for improvement, and investments, here at home.
For example, he proposed accelerating a student's public education from 12 years to 11 years in some cases, and then investing state money in the student's first year of college.
"We should say to these diligent young people, and their families, if you choose to finish in eleven years instead of twelve, we will give you the money we were going to spend while you cruised through twelfth grade," he said, "as long as you spend that money on some form of further education."
Daniels offered other ideas for improving K-12 education in spite of funding cuts. It's not unlike Ball State's efforts to save money by offering more distance education courses and going completely paperless in the classroom.
In our case, it's a waiting game until April 30 to see how much money might be cut from our budget. The outlook is bleak, based on recommendations from the Commission for Higher Education, and the $15.2 million that was cut during the last budget cycle.
"Our children are waiting," Daniels said as the gavel knocked to close the first session of the General Assembly.
It looks like K-12 education could be spared by the cuts. We hope they really can grow up and make the difference.
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