This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Educators from the state's public schools, universities and technical colleges will meet for the first time Wednesday to discuss the state's goals, priorities and Gov. Gary Herbert's effort to ensure that 66 percent of Utahns have some post-secondary education by 2020.
Herbert is hosting the summit, which starts at 3:30 p.m. at the Utah Museum of Fine Arts at 410 Campus Center Drive on the University of Utah campus in Salt Lake City, according to a statement from his office.
The Education Faculty Meeting also will be broadcast live on KUED Channel 7, KUEN Channel 9 and KBYU Channel 11. It will also be streamed at uen.org and utah.gov.
Herbert conceived the 66 by 2020 goal as a way to prepare the state's workforce for the future job market. Research indicates that 66 percent of openings in the state will require education beyond high school in the next seven years.
Though the number of people with post-secondary education is higher than the national average, at 43 percent, the state's educators will have to significantly ramp up the pace of new graduates to meet the goal — right now, Utah's pool of new grads is growing at just over 1 percent a year.
Speakers at the summit will include state superintendent Martell Menlove, Robert Brems, president of the Utah College of Applied Technology, and Utah System of Higher Education President David Buhler.
Organizers are expecting about 250 people from every school district throughout the state. Schools will also be broadcasting the meeting in their own buildings.
Twitter: @lwhitehurst