Southern Governors Association Gathering in West Virginia

Southern Governors Association Gathering in West Virginia is a First

In the business world, executives and managers understand very well the value of conferences and seminars. What better way to advance than to learn from others’ successes and mistakes? That same philosophy can certainly be extended to state government, as evidenced by last week’s gathering the Southern Governors Association in West Virginia. It was the first Charleston meeting for the group, which is made up of southeast states, as well as Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Eight of the SGA’s 18 governors attended.

Education, energy and the economy were the main topics of choice during the three-day event. I was particularly interested in the discussions surrounding education. The theme of the 69th annual conference was higher education’s link to the economy. The governors heard from a representative of the Gates Foundation, run by philanthropists Bill and Melinda Gates, which has donated billions of dollars toward educational efforts across the world. The Foundation’s education director, Tom Vander Ark, said college preparedness and access to higher education are extremely important.

He said West Virginia, Kentucky, Arkansas and Oklahoma are among the leaders in preparing high school students for college. Mr. Vander Ark stressed four important points for potential college-goers: awareness, preparation, access and support. Students must realize that college is possible for people of all walks of life, regardless of their financial circumstances.

While 30 percent of people drop out of high school, another 30 percent aren’t ready for college, Vander Ark said.

Former Gov. Gaston Caperton, who is currently president of the College Board, a national education organization well known for its SAT college entrance exam, also emphasized college preparation in his speech before the group. Gov. Caperton said the harsh economy and tight state budgets shouldn’t stop the governors from working harder and harder to ensure more young people seek a college education. He said some states could better utilize existing services, such as high school counseling, to improve college attendance.

Gov. Bob Wise, who chaired the group this year, was able to hear about the approaches other governors are taking, including financial aid, summer academies, and on-line classes.

For instance, Arkansas uses a variety of merit- and need-based financial aid to improve college attendance.

But once students get to college, they have to have the proper educational foundation to achieve good grades. Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee noted that in 1996, only 16 percent of U.S. college freshmen received their degrees within four years. But Arkansas has recently doubled the number of college students who acquire their diplomas within six years.

Unfortunately, it was also widely reported last week that federal statistics showed West Virginia has one of the worst student loan default rates in the country. The problem has grown to the extent that at some West Virginia colleges, default rates on Perkins loans, which are for the neediest students, have prompted the federal government to stop issuing them. At Bluefield State College, more than 25 percent of Perkins borrowers were in default as of June 2002. As a result, Bluefield State didn’t get any of the $750,000 in Perkins loan funding that went to West Virginia colleges.

Obviously this is a serious issue the Legislature must closely examine. As Gov. Caperton stated, “times aren’t that tough.” The only way for West Virginia or any other state will ever dig out of a downward economy is through employment, and a primary factor in achieving better employment levels is education. Our children must be confident not only that they have a solid educational foundation when they go to college, but also that once they get there, they can afford to get their degrees.

Finally, I appreciate the number of calls and notes sent regarding the health of my husband, Jon. He is feeling better and has returned to the workplace. Your kindness is deeply appreciated. We are indeed fortunate to live in such a caring community.

I welcome and appreciate your input on these issues, or any other legislative matter. Please call me at (304)340-3106 or write to Delegate Virginia Mahan, 215-E, Capitol Complex, Charleston, WV 25305.