Many Ohioans believe that they don't need education beyond high school or that they aren't "college material." But the truth is that education beyond high school is not only possible, it's necessary. To learn more about this issue, explore the Ohio College Access Network.

In fact, college graduates will earn more than one million dollars more over their working lives than high school graduates. To ensure that all Ohioans have equal opportunities, and aren't struggling to support their families, Ohio needs to make policy changes that will enable high school graduates and working adults to get through college with funding and aid. The most lasting, effective way this can be accomplished in Ohio is through policy change.

Our state does not do all it can to support higher education for all of our citizens. Among other states, ours ranks 40th in the number of citizens with associate's degrees, and 41st in the number with bachelor's degrees. One of the many reasons for this shortfall is that Ohio also ranks 40th in the amount of aid we provide to low-income students to support their college dreams.

If we ignore the potential of these Ohioans, we run the risk of not only hurting the lives of individual Ohioans and their families, but also hurting the entire state, by losing the high-productivity, high-wage employers that keep our economy strong.

By identifying best practices and research-based approaches, and advocating for changes based on these, KnowledgeWorks Foundation supports policies and recommendations that will promote access to postsecondary education and training for all Ohioans, enabling them to better support themselves and their families.