For nearly a quarter century, West Virginia families (and a select number of families nationwide) have had the advantage of being able to plan for their children’s education using the state’s SMART529 program.

It has helped families save for post-secondary and other educational expenses, and is ever-adapting to better serve educational needs. For example, a July 5 update “permits students and adults who do not select the traditional college path to be able to use funds from a 529 account to pay for job training programs by organizations outside of mainstream colleges and universities.”

Excellence on the part of those who have developed and are administering the program has been recognized by the informational service Saving For College, which placed all three of the state’s Hartford-administered 529 plans at “Top of the Class.”

“This national recognition exemplifies that our SMART529 plans have made a positive impact on families starting to save for their child’s future,” said state Treasurer Larry Pack.

Indeed, the plans, which are issued by the board of trustees of the West Virginia College and Jumpstart Savings Programs, are helping families who might not otherwise have been able to prioritize post-secondary educational goals for their children make a generational shift in what is possible for them — and the state as a whole.

In the four categories used by Save For College — performance, ease of use, savings success and program delivery — West Virginia’s program is a standout. If that success continues, it won’t be long before students learn they can be, too.