This week, public-school students in Washington County return to classrooms from summer vacation. So, the timing seems right to cover a few interesting statistics on education in Utah. . .
From the Utah State Office of Education:
In the 2011-2012 school year, white non-Hispanic students comprised 88 percent of total public school students. Hispanic/Latino students accounted for another 16 percent of students.
- Utah public schools maintained 555 elementary schools, 170 middle/junior high schools and 136 high schools in 2011-2012.
- More than 26,000 licensed classroom teachers provided education to Utah students in public schools.
- Utah’s public-school pupil-teacher ratio measured 22 students compared to 16 students nationwide.
- In October 2012, roughly 601,000 students were enrolled in public schools; 50,800 of those students attended charter schools.
From the Utah Department of Workforce Services:
- In 2012, more almost 38,000 workers were employed in private educational services. An additional 66,800 employees worked in public education and another 39,100 individuals worked in public higher education.
- Payroll for educational services (public and private) totaled more than $4.7 billion.
- The median wages for school teachers in Utah are as follows: $47,800 for elementary school teachers, $50,400 for secondary school teachers and $50,800 for middle school teachers.
- Projected average annual openings for school teachers in Utah equals almost 1,200 per year (includes new jobs and turnover).
From the American Community Survey:
- In 2011, 90 percent of the Utah population over the age of 25 had a high school diploma; almost 30 percent had a bachelor’s degree or higher.
- Approximately 259,000 Utahns were enrolled in college or graduate/professional schools in 2011.
- Roughly 13 percent of the 2011 Utah population 18 years and older was enrolled in college or graduate school.
- About 4 percent of the population 35 years and older were enrolled in some type of schooling.
- Roughly 15 percent of Utah school-age children (5-17 years) spoke a language other than English at home.
- In 2011, Utah the median earnings for workers with a bachelor’s degree measured $14,400 than the median earnings for workers with just a high school education.
