Editorial: Noble scholarly pursuits

Twelve million bucks is a lot of scratch, even when one’s talking government spending, but that’s what Virginia’s community college system spends each year on remedial training in math and English for its incoming freshmen.

The unfortunate news came from a study by the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission, the watchdog agency of the General Assembly.

About 56 percent of freshmen require this extra instruction, the Richmond Times-Dispatch reported Tuesday, which is about the same percentage as in other states.

So the point here is not that the Old Dominion is somehow falling behind its peers, or that state budget writers, in order to save some dough, should let these young adults founder.

The point is that it’s unfortunate that students seeking higher learning in their communities need what the colleges call “developmental education.”

Choosing diploma paths in high school or before is the rub here, Blue Ridge Community College President John Downey said Wednesday.

Those who seek standard diplomas take courses essentially to prepare themselves for the work force, while those eyeing college go after Advanced Studies diplomas.

Blue Ridge’s student population typically is split 50-50 between holders of each of these kinds of diplomas, Downey said, but it’s often those with standard diplomas who don’t have the math and English bona fides necessary for further study.

What’s the problem? Are K-12 educators falling down on the job?

Nope, Downey said. The fix could be in earlier career planning.

When parents and educators work with youngsters early in high school, or even in middle school, to discern possible career paths, the students can make sure they take classes they might need later.

This doesn’t mean that adults have to strictly plan out exactly what 12-year-olds will do until the youths are eligible for Social Security. It just means that identifying possible futures early can ensure that proper preparation is achieved.

Graduation information shows why this is important. During the 2009-10 academic year, the Waynesboro school system graduated more students with standard diplomas (103) than those with Advanced Studies diplomas (60).

The good news is that Blue Ridge is changing how it delivers developmental education, and Downey said he’s confident that the college can work with local school divisions to help students “decide on career pathways at an earlier age and hopefully enroll in the math and English courses that prepare them best for those careers by the time they enroll in high school.”

In Virginia, community college is a solid, affordable option for lots of learners, especially at a time when most folks are watching every penny. One need only look at Blue Ridge’s enrollment numbers for confirmation: Last year, the school served about 6,400 students, up from 2,500 just 18 years ago.

That means our local community college looks out for area residents when they hit the professor’s classroom, and Downey thinks his folks might be able to help scholars even before they get into high school. That’s true public service.