The HOPE scholarship program is “supposed” to be a merit-based scholarship.
Steps have been taken by the General Assembly to make sure the required B average is actually attained, but we all know grade inflation exists.
In these difficult economic times, there will be several proposals put forth in the 2011 General Assembly to help sustain HOPE.
If the goal of HOPE is to help outstanding students succeed, then we need to further examine the current eligibility criteria.
In fall 2009, 10.4 percent of the University System of Georgia’s incoming freshmen students receiving learning support (remediation) had the HOPE scholarship.
Furthermore, in 2008, 3,465 University System incoming freshmen students with SAT scores under 1000 (old 1600 maximum) received the HOPE scholarship; 1,982 of these students returned in 2009 to any University System institution. In other words, 43 percent were out of the University System after their freshman year.
In 2008, we gave $317 million in HOPE scholarships to students in our University System. Tuition continues to rise and certainly these automatic funding increases need to be examined by the General Assembly.
However, we also need to tighten up which students initially receive this HOPE scholarship benefit.
I agree with President Barack Obama that national standards are an important component in any academic evaluation.
Therefore, I propose we now add an SAT/ACT component to the current HOPE scholarship eligibility except for our technical college students.
Another positive from this action will be less pressure on our teachers for grade inflation. Bottom line — no minimum score attainment means no scholarship.
One argument that will be raised against that proposal is that these tests are racially biased.
As Georgia College & State University professor Ben Scafidi notes, “in states where standardized testing has been implemented, studies show that achievement gaps between racial and ethnic groups have narrowed as standards have been raised.”
High expectations should be demanded of all students and no more excuses should be tolerated.
With this change we will obtain significant dollar savings and this amendment plus other measures implemented by the General Assembly will help preserve this wonderful program for future generations.
Remember, this particular program is about rewarding actual achievement.
State Rep. Fran Millar, R-Dunwoody, elected to the state Senate in November, is vice chairman of the House Education Committee.
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