It’s funny how I keep seeing Sen. Kay Hagan’s name around, though she really hasn’t done anything “newsworthy.”
This editorial in yesterday’s Journal mentions Hagan’s budget provision several years ago that provided graduates of the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics free tuition at UNC campuses. The problem, according to the Journal, is Hagan’s proposal didn’t go far enough. Science and math graduates from other high schools should also be eligible for scholarships.
The Journal’s reasoning? Basically, the state needs more auto mechanics:
The odds are that the very best science students will go into science regardless of any state scholarship. That’s not so for students who are less gifted.
If the nation and state are to meet the demand for trained scientific workers, they must aggressively encourage these students to pursue science and math studies, too. When properly trained, they become eligible for excellent jobs.
Therefore, the General Assembly should be pursuing ways to expand the scholarships that are provided to college-bound students of all talent levels who profess an interest in science and math.
Strong science and math training are needed for many jobs from nuclear physicist to auto mechanic. Focusing only on the physicists will leave North Carolina’s economy broken down on the side of the road.
Today’s (unposted) editorial praises Hagan’s role in a bill adding consumer finance to the mandatory topics of instruction in North Carolina high schools. The bill funding the program is pending this year.
But again, it doesn’t go far enough, the N&R says:
It’s a useful addition to the curriculum, though as presently envisioned more of a small first step than a comprehensive tour of this complex but increasingly vital subject….
Is a week of instruction enough? Almost certainly not, but if the starter version is successful, expanded course work can follow in later years. It’s clear that the idea is sound. Equipping the state’s citizens with the tools needed to manage their finances could pay lifelong dividends.
So here’s the question: Is Sen. Hagan really not going far enough, or is she going to far?
