In 2006, the Washington State Legislature appropriated funds to create the Opportunity Grant pilot program. The pilot program showed excellent results with 73 percent retention and 843 low-income students participating in training for high-wage, high-demand career pathways.
In 2007, the Legislature expanded Opportunity Grant program funding to include all 34 community and technical colleges. The program expects to serve 4,000 full-time and part-time students in 2007-08. Higher education is vital to society and individuals. In Washington state, our economy and the success of everyone participating in it rests on our education system and depends on increasing educational attainment for all residents. For this reason, the college system is committed to creating more higher education opportunities and success for all residents across the state.
— Jan Yoshiwara is director, Education Services Division, Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges. This forum is sponsored in partnership with the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD).
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