It’s a tale that has been told over and over again.

Higher education is important for students, important for the economy, important for Maine and important for the country. Good college counseling, from trained secondary counselors who have the time to meet with students, is an essential step to higher education. College preparatory curricula that stress higher education as a goal are essential to prepare our students for what lies ahead.

Sounds logical, doesn’t it?

Yet, there are still significant barriers facing students in the search for higher education. In 2008, the Consortium on Chicago School Research at the University of Chicago published a report, “From High School to the Future: Potholes on the Road to College,” which concluded that while college enrollment is now attainable, the proportion of students completing college degrees has hardly changed. In particular, under-served populations continue to trail their peers in college enrollment and degree completion. In short, “The primary issue in college access is no longer building college aspirations, but building a clear path for students to achieve their goals.”

In response, Sen. Richard Durban, D-Ill., has introduced the Pathways to College Act. This will provide competitive grant funds to high-need school districts in order to improve college enrollment rates for all students.

Grant money would be used for training in college counseling for secondary school counselors; for one-on-one meetings with a school counselor to develop a post-secondary plan for every student; information for all students and families on the college application process and how to pay and prepare for college; and the development of a school-wide plan to promote a college-going culture in the school.

Then why isn’t this happening?

As of today, only one Maine congressional leader has signed on as a co-sponsor — Rep. Chellie Pingree. As president of the New England Association for College Admission Counseling, an organization that supports the work of secondary school college counselors and admissions counselors, I urge Sens.  Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins, and Rep. Michael Michaud to sign on as co-sponsors of the Pathways to College Act, so that all of our children prepare for post-secondary education in a school climate that actively and thoroughly supports their dreams and ambitions.

This is an important act for our children. Let’s make a difference in the lives of our children and in the future of the state of Maine.

Anne Richardson of Kents Hill is president of the New England Association for College Admission Counseling.