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Utah's Commissioner of Higher Education is out and about with a message that KSL finds compelling.
"We're in a period of disconnect when it comes to higher education," says Dr. Richard Kendell.
He points out that never before has it been more important for young people to be educated, yet high school drop-out rates are high, many of those who do graduate from high school are not prepared for college, and the percentage of 18- to 24-year-olds enrolled in college in Utah is steadily declining.
Consider this alarming statistic: Among Utahns in the 45-64 age group, Utah ranks 12th in the nation in percentage of population holding a bachelor's degree. Yet, among the younger 25-34 age group, Utah's ranking is 32. It suggests a distinct reversal of the tradition of having a younger generation that is better educated than those who've gone before.
In KSL's view, this is a quiet crisis that needs to be reversed.
Wisely, Dr. Kendell is taking his message to community leaders - not necessarily with the intent of getting more funding for higher education, but with the hope of garnering support for, in his words, "building a stronger state of minds." KSL hopes those community leaders will be listening with the wisdom to actually hear and respond positively to the message.
