The school system and the Travelers Companies Inc. announced a collaboration in which the insurance company will help the district prepare students to continue their education after high school. The company's support of about $1.4 million will also help provide additional training for school principals.

Carstarphen said partnerships with local corporations and foundations, such as 3M, Ecolab, the United Way and the McKnight and St. Paul foundations, are vital to helping address critical issues in the school district. We salute Travelers and the other organizations that care enough about our community and its future to invest in education as a down payment on our community's future.

Many politicians sometimes act as if business and government are separate, warring realms. These partnerships show that they share many of the same long-term goals and must cooperate if both are to succeed.

Carstarphen explained that the support announced Wednesday will help expand a program known as Advancement Via Individual Determination, or AVID. This is a national program aimed at helping students prepare for admission to four-year colleges and universities by encouraging students to enroll in rigorous courses and by teaching them how to improve their organization, time-management and studying sills. AVID is now offered in 11 high schools and the goal is to expand it to elementary students as well.

There are many challenges ahead in getting our young people ready to compete for the jobs of the future. It gives us hope to acknowledge that there are also many people and organizations ready to help — and already helping. Public schools, private schools, government agencies, private firms, nonprofit foundations, volunteer tutors, caring parents and extended families — all are needed in the effort. Education is the pathway to the American dream, and the more students on it, the better.