It has become increasingly apparent that the first two years of college need to become as universal as high school. Fifteen years ago, a worker with a college degree earned on average 38% more than someone with a high school diploma. Today that same worker earns 73% more.

But fast as the wage gap has risen, the cost of a college education has risen even faster. Since 1980, tuition costs have skyrocketed, rising 269%. The average annual cost of tuition now stands at $2,500 a year at a public college and $11,000 at a private college. These increasing costs have become a significant hurdle for many families. As financial burdens mount, community colleges are becoming an even more attractive alternative.

In comparison to state and private four-year colleges, Texas's community colleges provide a quality education at a fraction of the cost. For instance, San Jacinto College in Pasadena and Lee College in Baytown each offers a full course load for as little as $170 a semester. By providing such an affordable alternative, our community colleges give thousands of students the opportunity to get the education they need to succeed in the new economy.

But community colleges are more than just an alternative to more expensive flagship universities. They are the laboratories that train students and employees in the cutting-edge technology needed for the jobs of the 21st century. Over 50% of all freshman chemistry students are trained at community colleges, and thousands of degrees are awarded each year by Texas's community colleges in high tech fields such as health science. Community colleges also offer numerous technical, vocational, or basic skills programs so workers can enhance their abilities and become more productive, thereby earning a higher wage. And because community colleges have flexible schedules and degree plans, they are able to respond rapidly to meet the changing needs of students and the businesses that employ them.

Community colleges have become the answer for many in search of a better tomorrow. Today, 41% of all undergraduate students, 53% of all first-time freshmen, and more than 50% of all minority students are enrolled in a two-year college. Most of these students transfer to four-year universities to continue their education and improve their chances of success. And studies have shown that students who transfer from a two-year college do as well as or better than students who begin at a four-year institution.

If we are to remain competitive in the world economy, increasing access to higher education must become a national priority, just as basic math and science became during the Eisenhower administration in response to the space race with the former Soviet Union. As the prevalence of high technology increases in the marketplace, community colleges will play an even larger role in developing the highly skilled workforce of the new economy.

Congress and the federal government have finally begun to recognize the importance of our nation's community colleges. Last year, Congress increased financial aid by $1.3 billion, helping an additional 150,000 low- and middle-income students afford a college education. But that was only the beginning. This year, I expect Congress to consider several proposals designed to help families and students afford college, including:

• Expanding the maximum annual Pell grant by $300 to $3,000. This increase is projected to help an additional 300,000 moderate-income students get a college education.
• Providing a $1,500 a year tax credit for the first two years of college for students who maintain a B average. This credit is $300 above the national average for community college tuition and would make tuition free for two-thirds of all community college students.
• Allowing families to deduct up to $10,000 of college costs from their taxes.

Whether we adopt these or other proposals, helping more families afford a college education is a goal worth pursuing.

Community colleges have paved the way for thousands of students to meet the challenges of the new global economy, but there is work yet to be done. As long as our nation continues to invest in education, community colleges will continue to lead the way and make it easier for families to make the dream of college a reality.