West Virginia Students Are Keeping the Promise
By Governor Bob Wise

Three years ago, the people of West Virginia made a promise to
their children. By funding the PROMISE Scholarship, we sent the message
that if you work hard and play by the rules, you are going to college.
Including the Class of 2003, West Virginia has kept this promise for
6,393 of our brightest young people by paying full tuition to a public
college or university or the equivalent amount to offset tuition to an
in-state private school.

This commitment works only when the young people keep their end of
the bargain. The retention rates released recently show PROMISE
Scholars are doing just that: meeting the requirements necessary to keep
their scholarships and thriving in college.

Overall, 77 percent of the students who accepted the PROMISE
Scholarship in 2002 met the requirements and retained their scholarship for
the 2003 school year. Schools from across the state saw their graduates
do well. Small schools, larger ones, public and private; are seeing
the rewards of challenging their students by implementing a rigorous
curriculum.

As the PROMISE program grows, we are learning that certain factors
make students more or less likely to retain their scholarships. While
high school grades and test scores are important, we are finding that
those students who take Advanced Placement or other challenging courses
during their high school years are better prepared for the challenges
of college classes.

PROMISE improves our educational system from top to bottom. It
fills incoming college classes with bright, hardworking freshmen. It
motivates high school students to take advanced courses, get good grades
and learn the basic skills necessary for success on standardized tests.
It gives teachers the opportunity to learn what best helps students
succeed in college.

We’re already seeing successes with the PROMISE program. Fewer
students are leaving West Virginia to attend college. Teachers,
administrators and school personnel are recognizing the need to challenge young
minds in high school and prepare young learners for college. Our
PROMISE scholars are succeeding in every college and university setting,
exceeding experts’ hopes and fulfilling families’ dreams.

PROMISE is a vital component of our educational strategy. When we
combine it with need-based aid, increased help for working students and
public-private partnerships, we strengthen our higher education system.
When we make investments in public schools, early childhood education
and literacy efforts, we take even greater strides toward making West
Virginia the Education State.