From Glendale to Yoncalla, and from Toketee to Reedsport, proud families have been gathering across Douglas County to watch graduation ceremonies. Chances are, if you have family in the county, you have marked the rites of their passage through kindergarten, to middle school, high school, to college and beyond.
Many of us have had the great pleasure of watching the pride on the faces of our own sons and daughters as they watched their children walk forward to receive a diploma.
Today’s graduates face very different challenges than their parents and, especially, grandparents did. Lots of data clearly shows that education after high school is a strong predictor of financial stability later in life. Young people who don’t push the education horizon beyond that high school diploma have a very high probability of ending up at the bottom of the economic food chain.
Statistically, getting at least a two year degree in a technical program, or pursing other technical training, is the minimum education that will open the door to a family wage job and a measure of economic security. Continuing education, throughout life, is clearly one of the predictors of earning power.
Our schools are getting far better at preparing students to tackle the next level of education and the job market. The links between K-12, community colleges, universities, and job providers have strengthened greatly, and the system functions much more efficiently as a continuum. Teaching methods and progress measuring have also evolved. If you have not visited our schools recently, you should take the time.
In Douglas County, our high school and community college graduates are a diverse group. They have followed many paths to their GED’s, high school diplomas, and college certificates and degrees. Within that diversity, our graduates share some traits: they are an energetic, courageous, focused and forward looking group of people.
These are the kind of people Douglas County needs to weather these very uncertain times. Graduates, please accept my thanks for the hard work you have done and my best wishes for success in your future.
Many of you will leave Douglas County for more education or employment opportunities. Please consider coming back to enrich us with your knowledge and skills. We need you!
Susan always welcomes your questions or comments. Please contact her by email at morgan@co.douglas.or.us; by mail at Douglas County Courthouse, Room 217, 1036 SE Douglas, Roseburg, 97470; or by phone at 440-4201.