Tuition tax credits, more state school board control over education and fewer college "satellite" campuses.
Those are among sweeping changes recommended in a report released Friday by the Employers Education Coalition.
Members and observers — including Gov. Mike Leavitt, who set up the group to help find ways to improve schools and the caliber of workers they produce — have disagreed on few report specifics.
But one thing is sure: The report is a tall order — maybe too tall for quick changes in tough economic times.
"We're probably being a little naive," said coalition Chairman Fraser Bullock, president of the Salt Lake Organizing Committee for the 2002 Winter Games. "But we're in a crisis, and sometimes you have to take drastic measures."
The coalition of CEOs, educators and regents has worked six months examining research, visiting schools and interviewing business leaders. Recommendations were made for both public and higher education.
Public schools, with their low student funding, high class sizes and expected 100,000-student enrollment boom, received the greatest attention.
Though teachers are doing well with little, there are problems, Bullock said.
It's unclear who's in charge, he said. Schools don't have enough tough classes. Employers say they're unsatisfied with low worker skills — a statement some school officials want backed by data.
The coalition's improvement ideas are a package, and cannot stand alone, Bullock said.
First, schools should run more like a business. The State Board of Education would establish a strategy, then work with and report to the Legislature on progress. The board would have more authority over what's taught. It could fund districts based on need. Members would be appointed, not elected.
The ideas seem to go against the Legislature's idea of "local control," letting schools pick books and programs. But Bullock notes widely differing methods hurt children who change schools.
Other recommendations include:
$90 million to reduce class sizes in first through third grades, and middle- and high school English and math classes; fund improvement research; help struggling students and train teachers. The money would come from other state budget cuts.
Boost English, math and science graduation requirements and eliminate non-essential electives.
Pass students based on knowledge, not seat time.
Tax credits for private school tuition. The credit would be less than the state cost of educating a student, leaving money in the system with fewer students to educate.
Education bosses vehemently oppose the tax credit as a financial raid. Gov. Mike Leavitt has backed them. "For him, you have to make the case that it wouldn't harm public education," spokeswoman Natalie Gochnour said. But, she added, "I think he's willing to listen to the case."
School officials generally support other coalition recommendations.
In higher education, officials were advised to raise tuition, design programs around market demand and align funding to colleges' scope and mission.
Colleges now receive state money based on how many students enroll. Such a policy encourages schools to lower admission standards and build remote campuses to attract students, the report says.
Utah Valley State College, for instance, is building an $18 million Heber Campus, which the coalition calls "an inefficient deployment of scarce resources."
But college and university officials, who say they defined roles of the 10 taxpayer-supported institutions two years ago, say Utahns demand easy access to education.
"What we try to do is meet the needs of the community we serve," said Val Peterson, UVSC vice president of college relations. "We shouldn't force students to move or to drive all over the place for their education."
By law, UVSC must provide classes to residents in Utah, Wasatch and Summit counties. And regents have identified Wasatch County as Utah's "most underserved" in terms of higher education access.
The discussion is expected to continue.
The coalition is briefing the governor Thursday, as revenue shortfalls force the Legislature to trim at least $117 million from agency budgets. Requests for extra money and to streamline resources also is likely to receive further legislative attention.
E-mail: jtcook@desnews.com; jeffh@desnews.com