Bill provides scholarhip to drug-free students
Students would sign a pledge to remain alcohol and drug free to receive the scholarship.
Published Feb. 10, 2006
Low-income students in Missouri might soon be able to receive additional financial aid if they sign a pledge in grade school to abstain from drugs and alcohol, if a bill introduced to the Missouri House of Representatives passes.
One of the bill's sponsors, Rep. Rachel Storch, D-St. Louis, said the Twenty-first Century Scholars program is based on an Indiana program that began in 1990. In addition to requiring students to abide by the pledge through 12th grade, the new bill also would require students to maintain a 2.0 grade-point average and aggressively seek other scholarships.
In return, the student could select any public or private college or university in the state. The program would pay for the student's tuition not covered by other scholarships, said the bill's co-sponsor, Rep. Jeff Harris, D-Columbia.
"I believe in creating opportunities, and one example is creating access to a college education," said Harris, the House minority floor leader. "In return for the opportunity for students to receive scholarship money, we ask for personal responsibility and accountability from the students."
When Indiana started the program in 1990, 5,718 students signed the pledge, according to a Twenty-first Century Scholars report. In 2000, the number reached 11,035.
Under House Bill 1643, students would only qualify for the program if they qualify for the Free and Reduced Lunch program. Storch said funding could come from federal and state scholarship programs and possibly from the partial sale of the state higher-education loan agency, known as MOHELA.
Storch said the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education would have to set the parameters to oversee the program.
"Right now, we are losing thousands of students from the educational system between eighth grade and college, and this provides a behavioral and economic incentive to stay in school," Storch said. "This will help students focus on completing high school and encourage them to attend college."
STRIPES Director Lacy Cole said though she doesn't think anything will completely prevent underage drinking the program would probably help. STRIPES is MU's sober ride program.
I think the thing about drinking is if kids are made aware of the consequences of drinking it doesn't seem so cool anymore," Cole said. "Middle school and high school students enjoy the societal reaction to drinking as opposed to the physical effects."
Wellness Resource Center Director Kim Dude said the program would probably be beneficial because it would encourage students to focus on school and to work toward a goal.
"If a student knows they have to make a specific grade point average they will work hard towards that," Dude said. "People who live healthy lifestyles should be rewarded."
Storch and Harris both said the system is an honor system between students, parents and the program. Harris also said the program has no drug-testing components, but state agencies would be able to look through criminal and school records.
"This program encourages kids to make the right choices and steer clear from some of the temptations out there," Harris said. "We want to make sure they don't take a wrong turn into criminal activity. We want our students to be drug-free, alcohol-free and crime-free."