Fewer Alaska high school graduates are qualifying for the state’s largest scholarship program; fewer who would qualify are bothering to participate in the program which requires that they attend college in Alaska; and more students who attend college out of state are choosing to set up their life outside Alaska.

The numbers are not encouraging, unless you run a college in the Lower 48 that wants to attract more Alaskans.

While elected officials debate the amount of the annual Permanent Fund dividend, who is tougher on crime, who is more supportive of resource development and which party i...