Quality teachers are key to reform, state report says

Recruiting, paying and retaining quality teachers is key to reforming education and preparing students for a competitive work force, according to a governor's office report issued Monday.

The report calls for more early childhood education and reducing dropout rates. Changes are also needed in curriculum development and student testing.

"This is a comprehensive look at our children, our current work force and those in the job market today," said Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. "We need an across-the-board, systemic approach to ensure they have the skills to prosper in an increasingly competitive global economy."

The "21st Century Workforce Initiative," is the result of eight months of meetings between 18 public education, higher education and business representatives. More than 100 individuals from across the state participated in a total of nearly 5,000 hours of discussion and analysis during the past year to develop the report's recommendations.

"It provides an excellent framework for policy development," said committee member William A. Sederburg, Utah higher education commissioner.

The 136-page report states education reform will require public education, higher education and work force services to align budgeting, finance, policies and data.

Furthermore, education leaders, including principals and superintendents, need better training and monitoring, according to the report.

"We must find ways to improve our education and training system and work together to enhance performance so that we prepare our citizens with the most competent, creative and innovative skills on the planet," the report states.

The state must produce knowledgable workers and managers "who can adapt quickly to changing markets and create new solutions, rather than assembly line workers who following instructions (and whose work is vulnerable to automation or international outsourcing)."

Sederburg said one example of immediate action from the report is inviting state work-force services officials into the K-16 Alliance, a group formed in 2006 to create better cooperation between K-12 and higher education.

Sederburg said while not everything in the report can be done now, the recommendations serve as a good "blueprint" for long-term projects when the economy recovers.

Kristen Cox, Utah Department of Workforce Services executive director, said results of the recommendations would be well worth the effort.

"It requires collaboration and alignment among all agencies and sectors involved in preparing our work force," Cox said.

The report is available at www.governor.utah.gov under "quick links and information."