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.
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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:
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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