By Laura Walling Melvin tried to earn his GED four times. Each time, life got in the way. Laura had already paid for her cap and gown when she was told she couldn’t graduate. She had missed too much school while supporting a family member through court hearings. For both Melvin and Laura, the path to opportunity wasn’t linear—but they found a second chance through The Excel Center, a tuition-free public charter high school for adults operated by local Goodwill organizations in communities across at least 12 states and the District of Columbia. Their stories are are powerful reminders of what’s possible when education systems are designed to meet people where they are. This week, educators, leaders, and advocates from across the country gathered in Little Rock, Arkansas for the Excel Center National Conference. The energy in the room reflected a shared mission: expanding access to education and strengthening pathways to employment and economic mobility.…