As thousands of Arkansas children return to school this week, we remember that historic day 50 years ago when school integration in Little Rock finally became a reality. On August, 12, 1959, the city's public high schools reopened after a year of being closed in the midst of the Central High desegregation crisis. Our schools have come a long way since then, and the 2009-10 school year will bring students some encouraging changes of its own.

This year marks the first time that the rigorous Smart Core curriculum becomes the default curriculum for all Arkansas students. Based on the belief that readiness for college and readiness for work require the same exacting academic foundation, the skills and knowledge our students gain through Smart Core will prepare them for whichever postsecondary school path they choose to take.

The Smart Core curriculum is demanding and will be rewarding. Our students must now take four years of English; four years of math, including Algebra I, Algebra II, and geometry; and three years each of science and social studies, among other course requirements. The schools that implement these high expectations for all students will receive more resources that directly benefit your children at school. Starting with the class of 2010, a school in which 100 percent of graduates complete Smart Core will receive $125 per graduate. That money will support students as they adapt to the new curriculum through tutoring, after-school and summer programs, elementary math and science specialists and counseling services for career and college advice.

All Arkansans should have access to higher education and an opportunity to pursue their educational goals and dreams. I don't want rising college tuition costs to be a deterrent to any Arkansas family. High school students should find additional motivation in the scholarships to be provided by the new lottery. These scholarships also will increase college retention, meaning students who start college will have the support of financial assistance to allow them to finish. Scholarships will be available for use in both two- and four-year programs because different students have different needs.

In order to avoid spending precious college time on remediation in math and English, we budgeted $3.5 million toward the College Preparatory Enrichment Program. More students will be eligible for the summer program that prepares students for the ACT exam. That test is the single determinant in whether or not students must take remediation upon entering college. It's essential that our high school graduates know that they can't wait until they get to college to acquire the academic skills they need for college success. We want all high school graduates to be college-ready when they arrive on campus.

Continuing with my goal to increase expectations of our students, beginning this year, seventh-, eighth-, and ninth-grade students enrolled in Algebra I must pass the End-of-Course Test to earn their diplomas at the end of high school. They will have several chances to pass it. In the 2013-14 school year, we will add a 10th-grade English test.

Children who are ready to learn are healthy children. And when healthy children come from involved and interested families and attend school in a safe, nurturing environment, they have the best chance to excel. Ultimately, academic excellence translates into a successful, well-trained workforce and enhanced economic development for our State.