ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTVA-CBS 11 News)

Under a Governor Parnell proposal, getting good grades could mean your kids won't have to pay for their education past high school. Parnell announced his Governor's Performance Scholarship today to boost post secondary opportunities for Alaska's students. An opportunity that the governor says will boost our economy as well.

If Governor Parnell has his way, Alaska kids won't have to pay much to go to an Alaska college or training program simply by excelling in school. An incentive the governor says will pay dividends for Alaska's economic future. "You need to be sharp for Alaska's benefit, we need you have your skills intact and ready for the workforce ahead," said Parnell, who made his announcement

in front of West High students.

With his new education plan, the governor is grinding his ax to get more kids prepared for their futures. "No matter who you are no matter where you live, no matter what your personal circumstances, you can get a college education, you can get the job training you need to be a vital part of our workforce," said Parnell.

The idea behind Parnell's performance scholarship is by 2011, reward Alaska's high school students with tuition to use in Alaska colleges and training programs. An "A" student would get 100 percent tuition covered, a "B" student 75 percent, and a "C plus" student 50 percent, all based on grade point averages when graduating to give more kids a chance. "I think that any effort like

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this is good, college is a big drain on people today to get through college, people struggle in how they are going to get it through with the economy as well," said Pat Higgins, of the Anchorage School Board. "Anytime we can find a carrot, or a hook or something to get the kids motivated to get the next level whatever that may be, job ready or college," said Rick Stone, who is the principal at West High School.

A reward that with more students getting degrees, officials are hoping results in more money flowing in Alaska. "I think when we invest in our kids this way, we will have a better economy in the future, they will be better prepared for it, so Alaska will be better," said Parnell. "Paying the tuition for these kids, getting them through college, is a great investment for the state, it's a great investment for the families and for the kids it's fantastic," said Higgins.

The governor plans to pay for his ideas by using $400 million dollars out of our $8 billion dollars of savings, a number he says with interest would pay for itself, which is why he is optimistic, lawmakers will approve.

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