September 21, 2006
Prepared by: Mark Peterson, public relations director, Utah State Office of Education
(801) 538-7635 · mark.peterson@schools.utah.gov
Why it’s hot right now:
Tuesday’s special session of the Utah Legislature was in progress as this report was being written. Public education officials have expressed concern over the Governor’s proposed tax reform. The concern surrounds the fact that it affects income tax revenue, which comprises 67.4 percent of Utah’s public education revenue stream. The Utah School Boards Association and the Utah Superintendents Association both asked the Governor’s Office to not to make the cut. The Utah State Board of Education came down a little more softly, asking the Governor and Legislators to keep public education at the forefront of their minds as deliberations went on. The Utah Education Association maneuvered to try to turn the tax cut into a classroom size cut. Both the Salt Lake Tribune and Provo Daily Herald editorialized against the cut, as did the Deseret Morning News, albeit in more couched language. A Deseret Morning News poll found 56 percent of the population would forego the tax cut to spend the money on public education. The Governor’s talking points on this one remain: Utah will be more economically prosperous with tax reform and that will translate into more money for education.
Additionally, the Utah State Board of Education has also made a first draft look at public education’s budget for the ’08 fiscal year. Among the priorities:
· 6 percent increase in the weighted-pupil unit ($100.8 million)
· Increase in base funding to accommodate growth ($47.4 million)
· Literacy and math achievement program ($28.7 million)
· Professional Excellence for Educators ($50 million)
· All-day kindergarten option for at-risk students ($7.5 million)
· Pre-K student readiness program ($7.2 million)
Utah State Board of Education Position
The Utah State Board of Education would remind all in the state of Utah that the best investment for the future economic growth of Utah is in the education of our children. As legislation is considered changing the tax structure, this priority should be kept first and foremost in mind.
Why it’s hot right now
The Utah State Office of Education released preliminary statewide results of last spring’s criterion-referenced tests (CRTs). These are the end-of-level tests given to all Utah public school students. They are the foundational tests (academic accountability) for both the federal No Child Left Behind Act and Utah’s Performance Assessment System for Students (U-PASS). Statewide results for both No Child Left Behind and U-PASS are scheduled to be released September 28. The preliminary results released on Sept. 8 are very encouraging. Scores are up across-the-board in language arts, math, and science. They are also up across most of the ethnic and racial lines as well as for students with disabilities and students who are still learning English. Utah’s public education system continues to turn in great results.
Utah State Board of Education Position
The Utah State Board of Education is very pleased with the early results.
Why it’s hot right now
This issue has two events driving it at the moment: A Utah Supreme Court ruling on the legality of the University of Utah ignoring a statute allowing qualified students and university employees to carry concealed weapons on campus, and the expulsion of an elementary student from West Jordan for bring an air soft gun to school and showing it off on the school bus. Since the Supreme Court ruling deals with higher education, this report will not elaborate on it.
Utah law (53A-11-904) states that a student found in possession of “a real or look alike weapon, explosive, or flammable material shall be expelled from school for a period of not less than one year.” A district superintendent may review the expulsion within 45 days and modify the punishment. Some have suggested the punishment is too harsh. The Deseret Morning News editorialized in favor of giving control to local schools on punishment.
Utah State Board of Education Position
The Board stands fully behind safe and drug-free schools.