EDUCATION AND THE 2003 LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Rep. Mike Morley
With only one or two noticeable exceptions, the most hotly debated and emotionally-charged topics during the 2003 Legislative Session dealt with the education of Utah’s children. I believe this has and always will be the case and rightfully so. As I have stated on several occasions, the children of our state are our greatest asset and our most important resource for the continued success and vibrancy of Utah.
There were a number of education bills which were proposed this last session. I’d like to discuss a few of them.
Education Omnibus Bill (SB 154)
In his State of the State Address, Governor Mike Leavitt challenged the legislature and the citizens of Utah to join with him, the Utah State School Board, and the State Board of Regents to implement a new competency-based educational system which would replace our current attendance-based system. He believes this will result in a dramatic improvement in the caliber of students graduating from Utah schools and will actually reduce costs by allowing students to move through at an accelerated rate, based on their abilities.
SB 154 is the first step toward this goal. It requires the state to focus on consistent and continual progress in the core academic areas of English and math. It allows for a more diverse group of individuals to shape the state’s education system, more accurately reflecting the demographics of the workplace into which students will enter following their education. It also appropriates $1.8M to the State Board of Education to determine how to implement these changes. Governor Leavitt signed this bill just this past Monday.
Teacher Supply Money (HB 3)
An increase of $5M was approved to fund supplies for teachers, thus helping to reduce the amount of personal monies spent by teachers on classroom supplies. This bill also provides for ongoing funding of up to $10M per year starting in Fiscal Year 2005.
Charter Schools (HB 3)
House Bill 3 also shifts funding of charter schools from the district level to the state level so charter schools won’t have to compete for funding from the local school district pot. Charter schools provide an alternative choice for parents in the education of their children.
Public School Choice Enrollment (HB 86)
Parents and children are given more freedom of choice with the extension of the application period for enrollment in a school located outside a student’s resident district.
Joint Resolution Supporting Action Plan for Public Lands and Education (APPLE) Initiative (HJR 14)
Federal ownership of Utah lands significantly hinders our state’s ability to fund education at the same level as other non-western states where federal land ownership is practically non-existent. This resolution urges the United States Congress to provide just compensation for the impact federal land ownership has had and continues to have on the State of Utah. An excellent overview of this initiative is available through a link at the legislative homepage www.le.state.ut.us.
School District Creation (HB 169)
Creates a process by which smaller school districts can be more easily created.
Better Driver’s Education Program (SB 32 and HB 108)
Funding for driver education programs will now be done solely through the Automobile Driver Education Tax Account and reasonable student fees. This bill also gives more classroom instruction options such as: increased parental involvement through home study or electronic high school, hybrid instruction between the school district and a private provider, and interactive simulation devices used in certain cases as a substitute for required driving time.
Flexibility to Hire Qualified Individuals as Superintendents (HB 149)
Gives increased discretion to local boards of education to hire a superintendent with outstanding professional qualifications who does not hold an administrative/supervisory license.
It is increasingly evident that we in Utah face a particular challenge in meeting the ongoing needs of education. The most recent demographic data shows that our school enrollment will grow at an unprecedented rate over the next 10 years, creating significant challenges to our existing system. It is commensurate upon families, elected officials, and others with expertise and interest in this field to provide innovative and creative solutions to our ongoing educational needs.
I believe that some of these bills are a step in the right direction. Much more work will need to be done in order to accomplish this ongoing responsibility. While it is true that Utah ranks at the bottom in per-pupil spending, it is also true that a higher percentage of the state’s tax dollars are spent on education than most other states. Utah has done an admirable job of providing a quality education with the resources available. I and my colleagues remain committed to accomplishing this critical task for the future. For questions or comments, please contact me at mikemorley@utah.gov.
|
|
