My fascination with the free-college idea is well documented. I've spent 14+ years studying it and have written 2.5 books on the subject (#3 is under way). One reason for the fascination is the tremendous flexibility of the idea as witnessed today. michigan.gov/whitmer/0,9309…
The free-college or "Promise" idea is eminently adaptable to all kinds of circumstances and settings. Today, @GovWhitmer announced a version of free college ideally suited to the COVID-19 economic and social crisis.
Governor Whitmer is a genius politician who understands the challenges facing workers and the state, and who avails herself of strong ideas and smart advisers (the opposite of guess who?). With "Futures for Frontliners" and the GI Bill analogy, she has landed on a formula...
... that can provide upward mobility for low-wage workers and a more educated and competitive workforce for the state at a relatively low cost. It is also politically VERY DIFFICULT to oppose this bill.
We have learned from a decade-plus of Promise research carried out @UpjohnInstitute that money alone will not propel students, especially adults, through college. (This is especially true for last-dollar programs that don't bring much new money to the table.)
Other ingredients are 1) simplicity - program must be easy to understand and access; 2) robust messaging; and 3) effective navigation and support for students, which costs money. Workers will need help finding the right career path,
colleges will need to adjust course offerings and schedules, and innovation will be needed around the nature of support provided to students. There are lots of great ideas out there from @DetroitPromise and @TNReconnect, and I'm grateful @GovWhitmer and her staff know about these
For now, I'm just happy to see a politically savvy move to support low-wage workers and the Michigan economy.
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