Gov. Deval Patrick restated his belief that college should be accessible to everyone but offered few suggestions on how to fund his initiatives to the Joint Committee on Education at the State House yesterday.

Patrick touched upon the proposal in his first State of the Commonwealth address last week, and he emphasized the interdependence of early and higher educational institutions and the need for more affordable college tuition.

Patrick also highlighted the need for more funding for pre-schools and kindergarten, stronger math and science programs and free education at community colleges for Massachusetts residents.

“Education is a tremendous asset in building our economy,” Patrick said. “To implement the recommendations, it will take time, care and very close coordination.”

Patrick and the Joint Committee on Education said higher education is no longer affordable and the “achievement gap” between districts affects students’ preparation for the Massachusetts workforce.

“Fifty percent of kids who enter state colleges from Massachusetts public schools still need remedial work in order to be successful in their college work,” Patrick said.

He expects to have his educational plan — calling for free in-state community colleges — in place by 2015, so that Massachusetts residents can compete in a skilled-job market.

Dana Mohler-Faria, president of Bridgewater State College and Patrick’s special advisor for education, emphasized the need for collaboration in public higher education.

“We need to restructure and create ownership of education,” he said. “In order to act and respond to competition in higher education, we need to approach the commonwealth in a more unified way.”

Sen. Dianne Wilkerson (D-Suffolk), the chairwoman of Education Committee, said she was concerned that growing tuition costs and neglectful guidance have drastically increased student debt.

“There is growing competition amongst students to get in to four-year institutions,” she said. “When students are rejected, they aren’t directed to public community college, they are instead directed to four-year schools which they are unprepared for and come out of with major debt.”

Eric Owen, a University of Massachusetts graduate, said he supports Patrick’s free community college plan to help students who would not otherwise be able to attend college.

“I don’t know many kids who grew up in middle-class families that can pay for college on their own, never mind kids who grew up poor and come from underperforming school districts,” he said.

Boston University security guard Ron deFilippo attended the hearing and said he appreciated the motives of Patrick’s new education plans.

“I feel sorry for these kids . . . To be able to compete you need that secondary education,” he said. “When you come out of college with a financial burden, it’s always on your mind.”