Senator looking to increase parental responsibility in schools

Sen. Aaron Osmond, R-South Jordan, has unveiled three pieces of legislation that seek to give parents more control over the education their child receives, but there is a catch. His proposal calls on parents to sign a contract that makes certain that with this newfound power comes additional responsibility.

Read the Article

Schools Separate and Unequal

As a report on politico.com noted, if U.S schools with 10 percent or fewer students eligible for subsidized lunches were separated from the rest and treated as a nation, their scores would be second only to those in Shanghai in reading and science, while the math results would rank sixth in the world. That is considerably different than the 26th ranking the U.S. scored in math, 21st in science and 17th in reading.

Read the Deseret News Editorial

Where will the Surplus Go?

We have a surplus in Utah and our children need it. Read Doug Macdonald's op ed about what could happen to the surplus.

Click Here to Read

The Utah Education Funding Shell Game

Former DEA Board Member and current UEA Retired Board Member Richard Heath had an op-ed published in the Sunday Salt Lake Tribune.

Click Here to Read

Testing Dilemma

Utah has an average absentee rate of 13.5 percent, which means nearly 14 of every 100 students is missing each day. So how are teachers supposed to get them to take the test and how are they supposed to score well if they're gone?

Read the Article

What is the True Crisis in Education?

"If there is a crisis in American education, Ms. Ravitch writes, it is only 'because of persistent, orchestrated attacks' on teachers and principals. 'These attacks,' she writes, 'create a false sense of crisis and serve the interests of those who want to privatize the public schools.'"

Read the Article

Let me tell you what I think everyone needs to know: American public education is a huge success. Test scores have never been higher than they are today for white children, black children, Hispanic children and Asian children. High school graduation rates have never been higher than they are today for all of those groups. Our schools are not failing; they are very successful.

Listen to Diane Ravich discuss the problem. Click Here.

More on School Grading

Now that the Utah Legislature-inspired school grading system has been exposed for the joke that it is and lawmakers are spinning, ducking and finger-pointing to avoid accountability for their own ineptitude, it's time to debunk the myth that a similar system was adopted by Florida.
Read the Complete Column

Grading Plan Full of Flaws

The school grading program, created by SB271 S3 (2013 Session) is a one-size-fits-all system that dishonors students, their schools and the dedicated educators who serve them. Consider four of several concerns:
Read the Entire Column

Grading The System

All Utahns should be prepared to use the grades as ammunition to demand that their representatives take positive, constructive steps to help failing schools fix deficiencies on which the school-grading system has, in the words of legislators, "shone a bright light." And, in many cases, that means increasing money available to school districts, something legislators have perennially resisted.
Read the Complete Editorial

Not Optional - Education Should be Required

Poor Aaron Osmond. Tossed into the Utah Senate in midstream (filling the unexpired term of retiring Sen. Chris Buttars), the South Jordan Republican quickly immersed himself in the details of one of the most important and controversial responsibilities of state government -- public education.

He met with stakeholders on all sides, avoided the stereotypical teacher-bashing that is all too common on his side of the aisle, even proposed some good ideas, including a plan that could have attracted private money to such underserved needs as pre-kindergarten education.

Then, just the other day, he punted. Gave up. Threw in the towel. Surrendered. Retired from the field. Pulled the plug. Called it quits.
Read the Tribune Editorial

School Districts Facing More Budget Woes

Unlike the recent years of the recession, most Utah school districts are no longer facing deep cuts as they come up with budgets for next school year. But they're not exactly flush with cash, either, as they face the impending costs of health care reform and the threat of continued sequestration.
Read the Article

No Excuse for Short Changing Education

Most Utahns know that Utah spends less per pupil on public education than any other state. For many years, governors and legislators have shrugged their shoulders and said they just can't find the money to significantly increase funding. Of course they can. They just don't.

Click to read the entire column in the Deseret News.

It's Obvious: Schools Underfunded

It was refreshing finally to hear a Republican state legislator put into words what so many outside the halls of the Capitol have been saying for years: Utah schools are underfunded, and our children's chances for success are dwindling because of it.
Read the Editorial

A Teacher Asks: Why Teach?

Managing teachers through intimidation is not working. Our morale is at an all-time low. Experienced, inspiring teachers are retiring early. Bright, caring young teachers are looking for work elsewhere. Teachers who have loved their jobs are discouraging their own children from pursuing careers in education.
Read the Complete Commentary

Governor, Veto School Grading Bill

Sen. Stuart Adams represents a large portion of Davis School District, one of the finest school districts in the state. During the 2013 legislative session he sponsored SB 271 S3, school grading amendments which will have a profound impact on Davis School District and which now will require two different grading systems for public schools in our state.
Read the complete letter in the Ogden Standard Examiner.

Don't Be Fooled by the Enthusiasm

Gov. Gary Herbert and legislative leaders were effusive over funding granted by the Legislature for public education in the legislative session just ended. It's the biggest infusion of new money for schools in years, they said, and they are right. But don't be fooled by the enthusiasm.
Read the Complete Editorial

Judging Educators

Stephenson loves that word "accountability." I just wish he would apply it to the Legislature and its failure to adequately fund education or come up with a long-range plan.
Read the Letter to the Editor

Education - A Sinking Ship?

"Stephenson's bill, like so many he has introduced in the past, seems to place blame for unfulfilled student needs on the education community instead of where it belongs -- on the Legislature."
Read the Complete Editorial

Students are Not Widgets

Retired Davis teacher Richard Heath has written a commentary in the Salt Lake Tribune.
Read it Here

Legislature, Don't Forget Teachers

This column written by UEA President, Sharon Gallagher-Fishbaugh, appeared in the Salt Lake Tribune on Sunday, January 27.

Read the Column

Get Serious about School Funding

Utah public schools need more money. Teachers are underpaid, many youngsters desperately need early-childhood education -- preschool and all-day kindergarten. Too many older students need remedial help to reach a level of academic achievement that means they're ready for college, technical training or a good job.

Read the Editorial from the Salt Lake Tribune