Gates Foundation aims higher than high school

THE Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has funded tens of millions of dollars in improving and reforming public education. The nonprofit's latest plan is to double the number of high-school graduates who go on to postsecondary education.

This places considerable heft underneath a worthy idea.

The foundation's co-founder, Bill Gates, unveiled the new direction in education spending before more than 100 leaders in the field, including some connected to President-elect Barack Obama.

This is good. These leaders ought to return to their respective corners of the country and help push public-policy support for the Gates' effort.

Education doesn't stop at high school. Postsecondary options have traditionally been considered to be associate and bachelor's degrees. Support ought to build for students seeking trade licenses and program certificates.

A high-school diploma is no longer enough.

Only one-third of high-school graduates from poor families get any kind of postsecondary degree, yet the nation faces a shortage of workers with college-level skills. It isn't enough to urge students to continue their studies beyond high school. Quality programs have to be accessible and affordable.

This is where the Gates Foundation comes in. But one nonprofit cannot do it alone, even one with mind-boggling wealth. Smart, workable ideas require open minds and flexible educational systems.

For example, the foundation's new plan includes higher salaries for good teaching and help for average teachers to get better. Everyone agrees that teacher quality is a critical aspect of education reform, but efforts rarely get past union and policymakers' turf battles.

Ditto the foundation's plans to develop better tests and create a national set of high-school learning standards.

The Gates Foundation has the potential to transform education, much as it has done international health care. It will require support from all sides.