Working partnerships such as the K-16 Alliance, which was formed to make public education and higher education more cohesive in Utah, are ways to fix what Kendell calls a "fractured community." Providing education as early as possible and at the lowest possible cost are also important, he said.

"We need to be working toward a common agenda that deals with advancing young people into post-secondary education as well as advancing our economy," he said. Investing in college for young people "yields long-term results for the people of Utah."

Panels of more than a dozen experts provided insight into how Utah is attempting to reform four main issues of education policy, giving those in attendance ideas to take back to their boards and offices for further discussion and hopefully implementation, Rorrer said.

"This brings diverse people together," said State Board of Education Chairman Kim Burningham. "We get into several interesting trends in education and come up with all kinds of stimulating ideas."

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