Scholarship Pledges Are Good Idea for Businesses

A new idea is abroad in the country that we would like to see catch on here.

It seems to have begun in New York when businessman Eugene M. Lang spontaneously promised a class of 51 Harlem sixth-graders that, if they finished high school, he would give each of them a $2,000 college scholarship and add to it each year they remained in school. That was in 1981. Lang says he now expects 50 of those students to graduate from high school.

Since then, at least 19 other cities have expressed an interest in starting similar programs, according to a recent article in Education Week.

In Dallas, the STEP Foundation has been organized and has gathered enough pledges from businesses and community groups to provide college scholarships for 1,000 students now in the sixth grade.

In Boston, an even more ambitious program is under way. Business leaders recently announced a plan to create a $6-million endowment that would guarantee scholarship help for every high school graduate who needs it. Money from the endowment will also be used to hire high school counselors to assist students in obtaining other financial aid.

That same sort of effort could happen in San Diego--certainly the need exists. In the San Diego city schools, 19% of the students come from families that receive Aid to Families with Dependent Children. Forty percent qualify for free or reduced-price lunches. If recent trends continue, as many as 20% of today’s ninth-graders will not stick around to finish high school. But how many more would if they had the incentive of a college scholarship? If they had a better idea of what they were working for?

This is not to suggest that local businesses have not contributed to the public schools. Many participate in adopt-a-school programs or have contributed for pet projects. A nonprofit group known as EXCEL has raised money to recognize outstanding teachers.

But so far this area has not produced the kind of broad support for students that is envisioned in other cities. Perhaps it’s time to consider it. What a wonderful way it would be for the businesses that benefit from being in the community to help provide for its future well-being.