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They're lucky: They can choose from among dozens of outstanding public and private colleges and universities, without having to look outside the state. Somewhere not very far away, just the right school is waiting to hear from them.

But, what about cost? The UNC system and the state's community colleges offer the country's best bargains in higher education, but private institutions are expensive. The elite, like Duke, Davidson and Wake Forest, are practically out of sight.

Yet, it's not impossible for families with modest means to send their children even to the priciest private colleges and universities. Financial assistance is available, some of it from government. Funds include federal Pell grants as well as Legislative Tuition Grants, Student Incentive Grants and State Contractual Scholarships from the state of North Carolina.

These awards of public money can be applied even to private education. Why? It's good policy. Helping bright young people attend private colleges takes pressure off the public university system. The grants cost less than the expense to taxpayers of educating UNC system students, and students who go to private colleges don't take up space on a UNC campus. Policy makers also recognize that smaller private colleges can serve the academic needs of some students better than can larger public universities. The state's goal is to help as many of its young adults as possible achieve the best education they can so they'll become highly productive citizens and taxpayers.

Let's stop there a moment and consider those high school seniors who are preparing to launch their college careers. A short four years ago, they were finishing eighth grade and looking forward to high school. What choices did they have then?

For most of them, the options were narrow. Their public school board assigned them to a high school based on their residence. Everyone living in a certain attendance zone went to a certain school, maybe with some exceptions if the system offered magnet schools or special academies.

Otherwise, the remaining choices involved home-schooling or private schools. Private schools, like private colleges, can be expensive. But North Carolina students who want to attend private schools receive no financial assistance from state government.

It's time they should. It's time to implement the same policy at the K-12 level that works for higher education. It's time because K-12 education simply isn't serving the needs of all of North Carolina's children.

Just read Judge Howard Manning's warnings to the state's educational establishment to get an idea. In his latest edict last month, he threatened to close down high schools where fewer than 55 percent of students test at grade level.

The remedy sounds harsh, but the standard is low. High schools where 45 percent of students fall short are in the clear. Those schools pass, yet many of the kids don't.

They deserve more options. If they can't attend a public school that might better meet their needs, they should be able to choose a private school -- with financial help from the state, if they can't afford tuition otherwise.

The term commonly used for such a grant is a voucher. The word is widely reviled in public education circles because of the perception that vouchers will ruin public schools. What will be left of public school systems if more students leave for private schools?

Here's what will be left: Less-crowded but better-funded schools.

The value of a voucher, whether it's $2,000 or $5,000 a year, will be less than what the state spends to educate children. The money saved could be used to reduce class sizes and improve instruction in low-performing public schools.

Vouchers should be provided only for students from low- or moderate-income families. They should not be used to fund religious education. Schools that accept vouchers should not be allowed to discriminate in whom they admit, except based on students' behavior.

Not all private schools are better than all public schools. Some are better for some students. Shouldn't parents have greater opportunities to place their children in schools that might really help them? Wealthy families already have a full range of options. The state should open the door just a little wider for parents whose financial resources are more limited.

This principle works well for higher education in North Carolina. It doesn't weaken our public universities for the state to help students attend private colleges. One can argue it improves all colleges and universities, and there's no question it's good for the students.

North Carolina taxpayers should want to get the best result for every dollar they apply to educating young people. The more choices, the better the likely outcomes. Ask any high school senior making his or her college selection.