But a new organization believes a single entity is no longer getting the job done.

"One voice representing all 24,000 teachers would be great, if that voice represented those teachers," said Dave Barrett, the founder of the Utah Council of Educators, a new nonprofit advocating for public education.

For decades, the UEA, which begins it annual two-day conference at the Salt Palace Convention Center today, has been the loudest voice at the state Capitol advocating for public education . Despite the union's efforts and its continued membership growth, Utah funds students at the lowest per pupil rate in the nation and a teacher shortage appears inevitable. Now the Utah Council wants to provide a "fresh face" to come up with solutions.

Though he declined to provide a specific membership number, Barrett said the group's ranks are growing "very rapidly." It is not a teachers union, like the UEA, but hopes to lobby for many of the same issues, including lower class size, increased pay and more money for schools. The difference is that the Utah Council won't be weighed down by contract negotiations, which can create conflict with districts, said Barrett, an assistant principal at a Jordan School District middle school.

"If we're going to make changes, we need to work cooperatively with our legislators," he said.

While acknowledging the new group's intentions, UEA President Kim Campbell offered some restrained criticism of its formation.

"We certainly appreciate they're trying to do good things for kids," she said. "But we feel one common voice is a stronger voice."

Despite the emergence of what may become a two-pronged battle at the Legislature, with 18,000 members, most of whom are teachers, the UEA continues to represent a majority of the state's more than 22,000 teachers. Whatever their reason for joining, up to 5,000 people are expected to gather at the Salt Palace Convention Center today and Friday in their annual event, providing more than 50 professional development sessions. School is not in session during these days. Teachers attending the convention are not paid, and the convention is free for UEA members.

The focus of the convention is the achievement gap, the divide between students of different economic, ethnic, gender and geographic backgrounds. Workshops and speakers will address those issues. Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. will speak Friday to kick off the day's events.

The opening session is today at 9:30 a.m. in the Salt Palace, Room 250.

jlyon@sltrib.com