State and school district assessment directors have long preached the value of a rigorous course schedule. There's a direct correlation between taking a tough high school schedule and scoring well on standardized tests and college-entrance exams. It also portends a successful college experience.

A new effort launched Thursday will encourage Utah students to take tougher classes in high school to better prepare for the workplace. The Utah Scholars initiative encourages students to take four years each of English and math courses, 3 1/2 years of social studies, three years of science and two years of a foreign language. Those who meet those goals will be recognized at their high school graduations and may receive additional financial aid for college.

This program, which will involve students in some Granite, Jordan, Park City and Provo school district schools, makes good sense. It has the potential to enrich the high school experience of participating students and add motivated and well-educated people to college classrooms and places of work.

It also helps high school students form links to the state's higher education institutions. For instance, University of Utah and Utah Valley State College students are on board to mentor and tutor participants. Higher education will work with high school counselors to ensure participating students are progressing in their studies. Their successes will be feted at annual parties.

Utah is one of 22 states to take part in the federally funded State Scholars initiative. Utah will receive a $300,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Vocational and Adult Education to fund the initiative over two years. It dovetails nicely with an earlier policy change by the State Board of Education that requires students to take four years each of English and three years each of math and science in order to graduate. This helps to ensure that all students will benefit from greater high school rigor.

The Utah Scholars initiative takes it a step further. Better yet, it will provide guidance and encouragement as students aim for academic excellence.