The only drawback to the partnership, some educators say, is that 40 percent of BYU students trained to teach in Utah classrooms end up teaching in other states.

And 60 percent of those who teach anywhere leave the teaching field after five years to raise children or pursue other careers, said Lynette Erickson, associate chairwoman of teacher education at BYU.

Harrington pointed out that Clark County, Nev., is particularly active in recruiting BYU graduates to teach in its growing schools by offering bonuses and opportunities that Utah districts can't always match.

That leaves some districts feeling like they're doing the training but not seeing the benefits.

Nebo School District Superintendent Chris Sorenson says that BYU students come from across the nation and are naturally inclined to return to their home states to teach.

And with substantial classroom experience, BYU students are a "hot commodity" nationwide, he said.

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E-mail: lwarner@desnews.com