SALT LAKE CITY — Gov. Gary Herbert has high hopes for his freshly formed "Education Excellence Commission," which he launched Wednesday.
Herbert said he wants "more collaboration and cooperation, less anger and divisiveness."
The governor's goal for the commission of 25 education leaders, including representatives from public education, higher education and charter schools, is to implement statewide education reform and long-range planning.
"We all share the same goal and objective of providing great educational opportunities for our student population," he said. "We have differences on how we get there. We need to start talking together, learning from each other and working together if we are going to find solutions to this challenge in Utah. I believe we can. And I believe we will."
A push for ensuring that students develop the skills and intellect to compete in the marketplace will be one of many issues addressed. "I don't think anyone is satisfied with where we're at today," Herbert said.
Other challenges could include education funding, improving curriculum, attracting students to math and sciences, and addressing cost and affordability of post-high school training.
Higher Education Commissioner William Sederburg said he wants to look at ways to improve K-12 to better prepare students for college. He said that could include using the senior year more effectively, improving college advisement, and upgrading math education. "There is a whole set of issues we can work on together to make a seamless system for higher education," he said.
The governor is the commission chairman. The 25 members were either nominated or volunteered and were personally approved by Herbert. Besides public and higher education representatives, the group includes business officials, legislators, a demographer, and one person each representing the Utah Education Association, Parent Teacher Association and Parents for Choice in Education.
With that assortment of education movers and shakers, Brian Allen, chairman of the State Charter School Board, said he is optimistic the commission can come up with a better way to distribute education funding throughout the state. "If we can't find a solution with this group, I'm not sure how we would find a solution," he said.
Herbert said the commission is a work in progress and could last years but hopes it can come up with some significant recommendations by October so state leaders can prepare for the 2011 legislative session.
The commission will meet monthly with the next gathering scheduled for April 21 in the Capitol Board Room. The meeting is open to the public.
Herbert announced the commission last December at the Governor's Education Summit. Herbert has tasked the group with examining Utah's systems of public and higher education and delivering recommendations for improvement.
Governors Education Excellence Commission
Governor-Chair: Gary R. Herbert/Chris Kearl
Moderator/Facilitator: Dr. Bret Savage
15 State School Board Members: Debra Roberts, Chair
7 State Charter School Board Members: Brian Allen, Chair
41 District Superintendents: Ron Wolf, USSA Pres.
State Superintendent: Larry Shumway
15 State Board of Regents: Bonnie Jean Beesley, Vice Pres.
9 University Presidents Representative: Stan Albrecht, USU Pres.
9 UCAT Presidents Representative: Mike Bouwhuis, DATC
Commissioner of Higher Education: Bill Sederburg
Utah School Boards Association: Tamara Lowe, Pres.
Local School Boards: Jodee Sunberg
Utah Education Association: Kim Campbell, UEA Pres.
Teacher of the Year: Mary Jane Morris
PTA: Ilene Mecham, PTA Pres.
Parents for Choice in Education: Robyn Bagley, Director
Legislators-Education Standing Committee: Greg Hughes, Howard Stephenson
Legislators: Pat Jones, David Litvack
Elementary School Principals Assoc. Pres.: Luana Searle
Secondary School Principals Assoc Pres.: Carl Boyington
Business Partners: Scott Anderson
Salt Lake Chamber: Lane Beattie, Mark Bouchard-Ed.Director
U of U Demographer: Pam Perlich
Media: Jim Wall
UTC: Rich Nelson
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