To be competitive in the fast-paced world in which we now live, the children of Missoula must receive a global education.

It is with this wisdom in mind that UM recently joined forces with local school district representatives and members of the community to create the Missoula Area Education Summit.

The goal: Encourage local K-12 students to prepare for successful careers in the 21st century.

UM President George M. Dennison and Missoula County Public Schools Superintendent Alex Apostle, along with Dick King of the Missoula Area Economic Development Corp., are leading the charge to ensure Montana’s next generation is prepared to meet the challenges that lie ahead.

For some students, that means heading to college. For others, it means entering the work force. Regardless of the path each student embarks on after high school, the goal of the summit is to ensure each individual is educated in a way that enables them to be a valuable contributor in a global society.

“It’s about getting them prepared for careers in the 21st century,” Apostle says. “It’s about being competitive in a world economy.”
The summit convened at UM for the first time in November 2009 and established a steering committee representing stakeholders in the Missoula community.

As the effort gains momentum, summit members have defined the foundation of their mission using three words: responsibility, rigor, relationship. The summit recognizes that success for K-12 pupils requires accountability from students, teachers and parents; high academic standards; and collaboration throughout the community.