Merit-based scholarship plan may need some tweaking, but it stands on its own merits

As the state Legislature begins its work, many issues come to the front. A road to Nome?

One that is getting realistic attention is Gov. Parnell’s plan to award in-state college or trade school scholarships based on grade point averages of each student. A students would get 100 percent tuition. B’s would get 75 percent and C’s 50 percent based on rigorous course work.

Already there are people suggesting students of need should be included in the program.

That should be a separate program.

One aspect of those wary of Parnell’s plan is that students who are good in school will get help. Or because they are good in school it means they come from a wealthy family who can afford college anyway.

That’s a piece of stereotyping that insults all manner of people. But most all, it insults students from not well-off families who somehow manage to hit the books, get good grades and still might not be able to afford college or trade school.

And it should offend wealthy parents of children who get good grades — like somehow their hard work and good grades came easier than another student.

Let’s face it, if a student’s grade average is below a C, they aren’t likely to fare any better in college. Granted, there are many students who just don’t take to school. They fare well after school because they found a trade or craft they enjoy and are good at. Those students should be encouraged toward trade schools. The problem is Alaska, like most states, has educational facilities primarily worried about grades and not students’ futures. All students’ futures.

Then there is the fear that teachers will begin inflating grades. That’s just unethical and easily proven. If a student was getting Cs in math last year and now, in a more advanced class, he or she is a B or A student, there’s some explaining to do.

Lastly, it’s a fact that earning an A in one school isn’t has hard as the same A in another school. That will sort its self out when those students hit campus.

Gov. Parnell is on the right track. Students who buckle down and get the grades should be rewarded. They have a proven work ethic that sets them up for a better life. It shouldn’t matter how much or little their parents make in annual income.