The state would create a set of college-preparatory courses as a sort of default curriculum, which could include four years of language arts, three or four years each of math and science, and three and a half years of social studies. That's at least one year above current requirements.

All students go on that college-prep track, unless parents sign a contract opting for something less rigorous, Harrington said. Students still would have an array of electives to choose from, though more of the school day for some could be devoted to core classes.

Other states are doing something similar, Newbold said.

A bill sponsored by Rep. Brad Daw, R-Orem, attempted to put those efforts into law, but substitute HB326 wilted in the Senate in the final hours of the session.

Still, the idea lives on.

"Governor (Jon) Huntsman (Jr.) feels the time is right to prepare our students with minimum skills needed to be successful in the workplace," Huntsman education deputy Tim Bridgewater said.

The concept is up for discussion, among other improvement concepts, Harrington said. A second meeting is scheduled for the end of the month, and will include the Governor's Office, Harrington, Newbold and at least two other superintendents, and maybe some principals.

There already are questions on how it might work. The idea could help involve students and parents in students' educational choices, help them better prepare for careers or college, Newbold said. But what about parents who aren't involved? Could their students end up on the wrong track?

"I think we need to think through how we try to engage parents," Newbold said.

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E-mail: jtcook@desnews.com