Creating successful students.

• Position: Learn

Quality education is crucial for Utah's economic growth as well as the state's present and future quality of life. Prosperity 2020 goals strive to build supportive partnerships for successful students with needed support.

Did you know that Utah boasts the largest population of young people in the United States? As a percentage of our total population, the population of young people here is greater than that of any other state. There are 2.9 million people in the state, and about 32 percent are under age 18. For comparison, in the U.S. as a whole, 24 percent are under age 18.

Providing our children with opportunities is a big deal in Utah. Education is highly valued here. From the first years of school through college, Utah recognizes the importance of education in our students' lives. Currently, there are about 620,000 students enrolled in Utah's public K-12 education system and another 170,000 in Utah's higher education system. The headcount at the applied technology colleges is approaching 35,000.

These students are Utah's future. And their successes will be the state's successes. Business and education leaders want our communities to flourish--they want individuals to have greater opportunities in their lives, and they want to strengthen Utah's economy with an educated, skilled and adaptable workforce. That's why the Salt Lake Chamber brought together business leaders from across the...