Educated workforce

Look at this editorial, which originated in the Twin Falls, Idaho Times-News. It argues that Utah is more successful at attracting business than Idaho because its workforce is more educated.
Utah still spends the least per pupil for public education, but that doesn’t seem to matter. Forbes magazine, which has ranked Utah as having the second best workforce in America, is quoted as saying that labor supply is important, a factor that “looks at high school and college attainment, as well as net migration and projected population growth.”
The story also mentions that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints “puts great stock in education — including the arts…”
I don’t take issue with any of this. I do, however, believe it underscores the importance of Utah continuing to invest well in education, both in the K-12 category and in colleges and universities, and of people understanding the value of a college degree.
A Utah Foundation report recently found that, back in 1940, Utah ranked sixth among all states in the percentage of adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher. That fell to 16th by 2000, and it is now 18th.
Break the numbers down by gender and it’s even more troubling. Between 1940 and 1980, Utah consistently ranked among the top five states in terms of men with bachelor’s degrees. Today it’s 11th. The state used to rank ninth for women with at least a bachelor’s degree. Now it’s 26th. (Read the report here.)
Other studies have shown college-educated people are, in general, healthier, wealthier and live longer than those who stop with high school or less. They also are more involved in their communities and have a better sense of independence.
Clearly, education is vital to the community and the economy, but the trend is going in the wrong direction. And there is a growing divide between the educational achievements of whites and ethnic minorities. The challenges will only get harder as the population grows.