Last Thursday a group of business leaders held a media event to announce Prosperity 2020's funding priorities for the 2012 legislative session. EDCUtah is on Prosperity 2020's Founder's Council and supports the funding priorities, which align with Governor Gary R. Herbert's proposed 2012 budget that was released this week.
In all, Prosperity 2020 is asking the 2012 Utah Legislature to invest an additional $127.45 million in the state's public schools and higher education, and $16 million in USTAR funding -- without raising taxes. The money would support our long-term goals to improve student achievement and to develop a first-class workforce for the jobs of the future. Prosperity 2020 aims to have 90 percent of third graders reading at grade level and 90 percent of sixth graders to be proficient in reading and mathematics by the end of the decade. Further, by 2020 two-thirds of all Utah adults should hold a post-secondary degree or skilled trade certificate.
Hitting those goals begins with the proposal for the 2012 General Legislative Session. The Prosperity 2020 funding proposal covers six general areas:
- Investing in our greatest resource
- Early start to success
- All students college and career ready
- Science, technology, engineering and math
- Evaluation and performance pay for teachers and principals
- Higher education and economic development
I encourage you to read more about Prosperity 2020 and its legislative priorities via the following links: Legislative Priorities. Press Release. Five Things to Know about Prosperity 2020.
Prosperity 2020 is the largest business-led movement ever assembled in Utah to advance educational investment and innovation. The partnership includes 15 chambers of commerce, economic development entities, and other education-minded entities funded by business. The vision of Prosperity 2020 is for the state's educated and trained workforce to propel Utah to enduring prosperity, improved quality of life and the strongest economy in the nation. Learn more by visiting www.prosperity2020.com.
Post a Comment