Is there enough HOPE for Georgia?
Before I go into today’s topic we have some housekeeping.
Today is my last regular post for Get Schooled. You’ll still see my name as I write about higher education, but the talented Maureen Downey takes over the blog Monday. Many of you already know her from her weekly Learning Curve column and editorials about education issues.
Now, to today’s topic. Over the past few weeks I’ve been talking with several college officials about the upcoming school year. Inevitably, the conversations turned to HOPE.
The program — Helping Outstanding Pupils Educationally – pays for the tuition, books and fees for Georgia students who maintain a 3.0 average.
Some officials – at least those at private colleges – wondered why the amount HOPE students receive to attend their institutions is less than what students would get for a public college.
If the goal is to keep bright students in Georgia, why not spread the wealth evenly they asked?
Others wondered if HOPE was fair, especially for late bloomers. Many students struggle during the first few years in high school. Students who turn their grades turn around during junior and senior years likely can’t get their GPAs high enough to be eligible for the scholarship.
Some would argue these students are capable and have the skills to succeed in college. Where’s the money for them?
Many also said Georgia is in need of a HOPE-like needs-based scholarship.
Nearly all colleges offer scholarships for students from low-income homes, but some say the state should provide for these students.
Do you think HOPE is meeting Georgia’s needs? If not, how would you change the program?
STORY HELP: A co-worker is writing a back-to-school story looking at who is volunteering in schools. If your PTA or school has an interesting group — whether it be all fathers or all grandparents or employees from a local company — we want to hear from you. Send a note to gstaples@ajc.com if you’d like to participate.
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112 comments Add your comment
Concerned Blood Donor
August 3rd, 2009
4:28 am
Nowadays it’s hard to find a job because of the recession. There are many got unemployed and seeking job now. As a worker, I am also a blood donor to help on my daily needs. I think this is a very big help for the students who are seeking for a part time job now or got unpaid internship and especially it is summer time which are some of us need extra income. I’m donating for 2 years now and it really helps because every donation I make up to $50/hour for blood donation. As we all know, Blood bank shortages kill tons of people all the time and it is the time to spread the word about blood donation and give blood, you will never know when YOU might need blood. This really helpful even it is just a part time job, the bottom line of this is to saved lives.
If you are thinking to be a blood donor and looking for specific blood banks and a directory of blood donation centers you can check it out here at bloodbanker dot com/banks.
Furloughed
August 3rd, 2009
6:59 am
So I just heard that the GA State polices are now furloughed 2 days EACH MONTH!!! Where is the outrage? Where are whining officers?
GA Citizen
August 3rd, 2009
8:44 am
Maureen Downey is taking over this blog? Oh, oh … no longer a blog but a BULLY pulpit!
Jaaaaaaaaay Booooooooogey!
August 3rd, 2009
9:58 am
Where is Maureen? An APB on Maureen, please. We’re going to be nice. Jaaaaaaaaaaaaay Booooooooooohey!
Gwinnett Educator
August 3rd, 2009
10:39 am
Furloughed, they have their own blogs where they voice MANY concerns, not limited to furloughs. Get to know some of these officers and ask for those other sites…They are out there.
PJ
August 3rd, 2009
11:32 am
Maybe she was furloughed…
woodie
August 3rd, 2009
11:53 am
I think the hope scholarship should be just that, hope for people who cannot afford education. I know I was never able to go to a good college because I didn’t have the money. I never felt that was fair and still don’t. I squeaked by in the cheapest local college I could find and funded it with a part time job. So basing this on grades is not a good idea. It’s a built in bias against the struggling class.
Rhonda
August 3rd, 2009
1:06 pm
College might not be for everyone, but everyone does needs skills and experience to be competitive in the 21st century, even if they decide to attend a technical college, or what ever. If you decide to be a clerical person,you still need office skills (customer service) and other experience you do not learn in high school, you still need at least a 2 year (AA) degree to learn the basic of office effeciency. I work with people who just have a high school diploma, and they have no professionalism ;right out of high school – Society does not value educatin as it once did years ago. The same students who decided not to attend collee is the ones sitting in high paid jobs while other studens struggle everyday to put themselvers through college to be better prepared for the competitive market. If a person choose not to educate themselves then they get what they pay for.
professionalism???
August 3rd, 2009
1:58 pm
Rhonda,
You expect professionalism from HS graduates? You must be much more realistic. Look at all those teachers who post here and see their lack of professionalism – and they all have at least bachelor’s degrees and many have more.
ScienceTeacher671
August 3rd, 2009
9:58 pm
Reality 2, if the “new math” is just the old math repackaged, why did the math teachers in our district have to spend a week in training last year and this year to learn how to teach it?
And just how many times will they have to “field test” the EOCTs before they can count them?
jim d
August 4th, 2009
10:52 am
a little tid-bit most are not aware of about the HOPE.
a student that qualifies upon graduation from a Georgia HS elects not to take advantage of HOPE, instead choosing an out of state college. Said student returns home for summer and elects to take advantage of an in state college to pick up a few extra credit hours in order to lighten academic load in sophmore year and has maintained grades at out of state school, exceeding HOPE requirements.
Said student does not qualify for ANY HOPE assistance for summer school since he/she is considered a transient student.
parent and teacher
August 4th, 2009
5:45 pm
jim d – I don’t think your described situation is exclusive to HOPE. Summer classes even for non-transient students are rarely covered by any financial aid. Most financial aid covers either 3 quarters or two semesters.