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SALT LAKE CITY — Governor Gary Herbert read to grade schoolers at Foxboro Elementary to set an example he hopes a groundswell of other Utahns will follow.
The governor was helping business leaders with the Prosperity 2020 group launch a movement to connect 20,200 volunteers with classes across the state.
"All of us working together is going to raise the bar on education excellence," Gov. Herbert said. "And we'll do it without spending a lot of money."
Prosperity 2020 publically committed to bringing an army of businesses and their employees into schools to accomplish the goal of bringing 90 percent of Utah students up to grade level in reading and math.
Mark Bouchard, chair of Prosperity 2020, acknowledged it's making a big commitment. "From the business community that's a big deal. We want to help teachers, help administrators with class volunteers," he said.
Specifically, the initiative creates an online portal that matches those interested in volunteering with schools in need. Prosperity 2020 encourages interested math and reading tutors to work with existing programs that have demonstrated success.
KSL's Read Today initiative takes part in the partnership. Last year more than 2,600 struggling readers were matched with personal tutors. And while none of them started the school year on grade level, 79 percent -- or 2,043 students -- finished the year there.
Tutors changed the lives of students, but many of the tutors say they gained as much as the children.
"You made a real difference and we applaud KSL for being a part of it," said Gov. Herbert.
Business leaders have goals that extend beyond reading test scores. They hope by providing partnership opportunities, a grassroots movement will better prepare a skilled workforce for the future.
"Which is going to help us economically and improve out quality of life," the governor added.
