THREE RIVERS, SEMO EXPAND JOINT PROGRAMS

The designation of some Missouri high schools as A+ schools has had two goals: One is to establish standards for students so they will develop good values, and the other is to guarantee that every successful A+ student will be able to afford at least two years of college.

Even though Central High School in Cape Girardeau has taken advantage of the first part of the program, students enrolled in the A+ program have had few choices in getting an all-expense-paid college education, because college-level A+ courses are offered mainly by community colleges.

Now Three Rivers Community College in Poplar Bluff, Mo., and Southeast Missouri State University are jointly offering new associate-degree programs on the Cape Girardeau campus and at the Sikeston Area Higher Education Center.

This cooperative program will make college much more accessible for students pursuing a two-year degree. Both Three Rivers and SEMO are to be commended for working together on behalf of students in Southeast Missouri.