Rod Gramer

How can we help students get the skills they need to qualify for a family-sustaining job or build the workforce our economy needs if we can barely pass an increase in scholarships that make postsecondary affordable?

But accomplishing it will take bold leadership, further investment, wise choices and laser-like focus.

What if we set more students up for success in school, work and life before we waste their talent and potential? Now that’s really doing something.

And the only way to defeat it is for responsible adults to give struggling students an equal shot at success.

Idaho could learn a lesson from Tennessee, which is promoting post-secondary education as a way to invest in the future.

We need to do more to get our students to go on and graduate with a credential if we are to have the educated workforce our employers need. Although the state has adopted many good policies and investments, we need even bolder steps or our economy will suffer.

Invest more in education and focus single-mindedly on student achievement.

This September we have the opportunity to learn from three outstanding education leaders: Nancy Grasmick, the former superintendent of the Maryland Public Schools; David Driscoll, the former Massachusetts Commissioner of Education; and Eric Smith, the former Florida Education Commissioner.

Parents must take the lead in creating a culture where higher education is valued – and expected.