This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated.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.

They're calling it the Capital City Education Collaboration Agreement.

Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker and Salt Lake City Schools Superintendent McKell Withers joined with officials Wednesday from half a dozen agencies and organizations to begin forming an education framework "to cultivate a college, career and civic-ready environment."

"This is a symbolic event that binds us to a mission to do more for Salt Lake City kids from the time they are born to the day they enter college," Withers said.

The initiative, organized by the National League of Cities, is an outgrowth of the Lumina Foundation program that focuses on education and success.

The League of Cities selected Salt Lake City in 2011 to participate. It is one of eight participating U.S. cities, according to League spokeswoman Majorie Cohen.

Among those joining Salt Lake City and the Salt Lake City School District in the initiative are the University of Utah, Salt Lake Community College and the Salt Lake Chamber.

One of the group's goals is to "identify and provide access to education and career pathways for all youth and families," according to the mayor.

"This is a first of its kind for us to bring private and public sectors together in a commitment to shared goals," Becker said. "Plans don't mean anything unless they are embraced by the people involved."

Members of the new alliance will meet regularly to establish, among other things, fundraising resources and strategies and develop long-range planning and goal setting, according to the mayor's office.