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East Tennessee labor leaders and educators met to "create a blueprint" for the region's future economic success at a Workforce and Education Summit Monday at the Knoxville Convention Center.

"Workforce success begins with 5-year-olds and 6-year-olds," Clinton City Schools Director Dr. Vicki Violette said. "Hold up a mirror and they are the reflection of society, just in shorter people."

The world is changing quickly, and speakers at the summit said our society will have to adapt to those changes.

They offered a cautionary assessment of the future: Our education system is preparing students for jobs that do not even exist.

They also offered a way to encourage economic development: Industry leaders need to tell educators what skills they are looking for in future workers.

Knox County Mayor Mike Ragsdale said East Tennesseans should work together to prepare for an economy linked to the rest of the world.

Citizens "can't fall into the trap of (just) thinking what's good for their city and county ... that is a recipe for disaster," Ragsdale said. "We've talked about the global economy, but never thought locally. We've been casual observers and not active participants."

Dr. Matt Murray, chairman of the Blount County Economic Development Board, used evidence from his book "Education Crossroads" to document problems that regional businesses have in recruiting and attracting workers.

Tennessee trails most of the nation in numerous categories, he said. The state, for example, received a "D" in academic achievement on the 2007 U.S. Chamber of Commerce state report card. Murray asked the audience members if this is a grade they would be happy to bring home.

"Teachers are fighting in classes every day, and we expect them to be miracle-workers and alchemists in the six hours to eight hours they have," he said. "A systemic change is needed to correct the problem."

That will require a partnership among members of society, according to Murray.

"Together we can make a difference."

Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam introduced six "people who have to deal with the real world and community expectations."

Statistical analysis can identify educational and economic weaknesses, according to the speakers.

"We don't always hear what we want to hear, but it's great to hear the stats," Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam said.

However, simply knowing the numbers does not resolve the problems. Oak Ridge Schools Assistant Superintendent Ken Green said the statistics are not conveying the situation's seriousness to students.

"These are patterns, habits and lifestyles they see. They live those stats. They don't impress them. We need to find something which captures their attention," Green said.

The answer is to not focus too heavily on standards, according to Green.

"Standards are extremely important, but they don't improve engagement," he said. "Educators applaud (the increase in student) standards, but it is a challenge to engage this generation with all the distractions they have."

Educators should approach their lessons with a more concrete and hands-on approach, according to Green.

Knox County Schools Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Dr. Donna Wright said schools have placed a stigma on vocational, technical and industrial professions. Educators need to bring honor back to these professions, she said.

Maryville City Schools Director Stephanie Thompson stressed the importance of retaining employees. School administrators and teachers are valuable, so "when we lose their knowledge it's gone forever," she said. "We need to give them the resources to do their jobs in the classroom."

After the panel discussions, audience members split up into smaller sessions where they addressed topics ranging from workforce training to developing communications strategies.

According to Bonny C. Millard, executive director for the Blount Education Initiative, Monday's summit was just a starting point. She said the important thing is to get people to come together and commit to improving education levels and to strengthen the link between businesses and educators.