Education

SB0177 | Absenteeism Prevention Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill allows a school age child's grade to include attendance under certain circumstances.

Highlighted Provisions:

Allows a school age child's grade to include attendance under certain circumstances;

Bill Details

Bill Number:

SB0177

Year:

2024

Status:

Governor Signed

Last Action:

Mar 21, 2024

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

$0

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Support

Utah PTA Resolution:

EDU 2023-2 | Chronic Absenteeism

Impact on Children:

Studies indicate that chronic absenteeism, whether excused or unexcused, is a proven predictor of lower academic performance, study skills and habits, and higher dropout rates; chronic absenteeism also tends to predict significant adverse consequences in students’ lives, from the inability to reach early learning milestones to poorer outcomes later in life and lower overall wellbeing

Commission:

Education

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

That Utah PTA and its constituent associations urge the Utah legislature to appropriate sufficientfundingforthecollectionanddetailedanalysisofdataonchronicabsenteeism;for thecreation,implementationandrolloutofprogramsforchronicallyabsentstudents;andfor information campaigns to parents and students

HB0512 | Minimum Basic Tax Rate Reduction

Description

General Description:

This bill amends provisions related to the minimum basic tax rate that funds public education.

Highlighted Provisions:

This bill reduces the revenue target for the revenue that the minimum basic tax rate generates and repeals the weighed pupil unit (WPU) value rate. It would result in a loss of funding for schools.

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0512

Year:

2024

Status:

House/ filed

Last Action:

Mar 01, 2024

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

$0

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Oppose

Utah PTA Resolution:

EDU 2023-1 | Education Funding

Impact on Children:

A reduction in the revenue target of the minimum basic tax rate would result in a loss of funding to our schools.

Commission:

Education

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

Utah PTA and its constituent associations continue to urge the legislature to make public education revenue allocations and funding efforts a high priority.

HB0354 | Truth in Taxation Revisions

Description

General Description:

This bill modifies requirements for property tax increases.

Highlighted Provisions:

This bill would require voter approval for any increases to property tax rates until 2027.

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0354

Year:

2024

Status:

House/ filed

Last Action:

Mar 01, 2024

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

$0

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Oppose

Utah PTA Resolution:

EDU 2023-1 | Education Funding

Impact on Children:

The only revenue stream for schools that LEAs have control over is the property tax rate. There is a process that they must follow to notice and vote on an increase, and public comment is a significant part of that process. Property taxes are a stable funding mechanism, and restricting their ability to raise those rates could have negative consequences on our schools.

Commission:

Education

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

Utah PTA and its constituent associations continue to urge the legislature to make public education revenue allocations and funding effort a high priority.

HB0208S02 | Teacher Licensure Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill addresses changes in teacher licensure requirements.

Highlighted Provisions:

HB 208 disallows any pedagogical performance assessment as a requirement for teacher licensure. It would require all competencies to be certified by a teacher leader prior to licensure. The teacher leader must have an assignment as a teacher. This would be an additional duty on top of regular teaching duties. A teacher leader has to evaluate competencies for all who gain their professional license, whether through university or APPEL program. It also requires USBE to collaborate with USHE to establish a strategy for an additional pathway to becoming a professionally licensed teacher.

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0208S02

Year:

2024

Status:

Governor Signed

Last Action:

Mar 12, 2024

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

$0

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Oppose

Utah PTA Resolution:

EDU 2019-1 | Best Practices in Education

Impact on Children:

Teachers without pedagogical competency are less prepared to manage a classroom, and studies show that they do not stay in the profession as long as those with pedagogical training. Having a teacher leader certify pedagogy puts an additional burden on the other teachers in the school. Also, there are concerns about the fiscal impact of paying stipends to the teacher leaders.

Commission:

Education

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

Teacher quality is the single most important school-based factor in student achievement; teacher’s knowledge of subject matter and effective pedagogies for teaching specific content and skills, along with particular knowledge about their students’ backgrounds, interests, and learning styles are central to effective teaching and learning; and to build teacher capacity the focus should be on policy, training, pedagogy, infrastructure development, teacher welfare, and empowerment.

HB0485 | Special Education Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill establishes a grant program to support co-teaching models for special education students.

Highlighted Provisions:

This bill establishes a grant program to support co-teaching models for special education students. This bill creates the Special Education Co-teacher Pilot Program (co-teaching program); outlines the requirements for a local education agency to receive a grant under the co-teaching program; provides rulemaking authority to the state board to administer the co-teaching program; and specifies allowable uses of grant funding.

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0485

Year:

2024

Status:

House/ filed

Last Action:

Mar 01, 2024

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

$5,000,000

This bill appropriates in fiscal year 2025: to State Board of Education - State Board and Administrative Operations - Special Education Co-teaching Program as a one-time appropriation: from the Public Education Economic Stabilization Restricted Account, One-time, $5,000,000

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Support

Utah PTA Resolution:

EDU 2022-2 | High Expectations for Student with Disabilities

Impact on Children:

This bill would provide more opportunities for special education students to have access to co-taught classes (usually taught by a general ed teacher and a special ed teacher). These types of classes have been shown to be very effective for students with special needs and to also benefit general education students who are struggling.

Commission:

Education

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

Resolved, that Utah PTA and its constituent associations support schools in implementing best practices in meeting the needs of diverse students through such practices as inclusion, Universal Design for Learning (UDL), Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS), Response to Intervention (RTI), and any other similar instructional practices to support instruction from a Core content expert, and access to accommodations including assistive technology for students with disabilities, that these students be enabled to go as far as possible toward achieving their full potential and living a meaningful, fulfilling life.

HB0420S01 | School Code of Conduct Protections

Description

General Description:

This bill requires local education agencies to adopt a code of conduct and provides certain protections from retaliation.

Highlighted Provisions:

This bill provides a code of conduct for staff members of the public school system; requires reporting of violations of the code of conduct; requires all staff members to receive training on the code of conduct; prohibits retaliation against a staff member that reports a violation of the code of conduct; and provides a process for a staff member to seek review of an adverse employment action that is taken in retaliation for compliance with the code of conduct.

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0420S01

Year:

2024

Status:

House/ filed

Last Action:

Mar 01, 2024

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

$0

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Local Issue

Impact on Children:

Putting a code of conduct into law makes it much more difficult for local schools to amend or adjust their code of conduct. Most of this bill is taken directly from the USBE Rule, and the bill is unnecessary. LEAs are already required to put into place a code of conduct, but currently have flexibility to amend as they need to.

Commission:

Education

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

Utah PTA Legislative Policy:

General Principles for Consideration of Proposed Legislation: Maximum local control when it serves the best interest of all children and youth.

HB0221S01 | Stipends for Future Educators

Description

General Description:

This bill creates the Stipends for Future Educators Grant Program.

Highlighted Provisions:

Bill allows for a $6000 stipend to be paid to student teachers.

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0221S01

Year:

2024

Status:

Governor Signed

Last Action:

Mar 20, 2024

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

$8,400,000

This bill appropriates in fiscal year 2025: to State Board of Education - Educator Licensing - Educator Licensing as a one-time appropriation: from the Public Education Economic Stabilization Restricted Account, One-time, $8,400,000

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Support

Utah PTA Resolution:

EDU 2011-1 | Excellence in Teaching

EDU 2023-1 | Education Funding

Impact on Children:

This bill will allow future educators to do their student teaching without being unemployed while they do so, allowing more student teachers to complete their programs.

Commission:

Education

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

Resolved, That Utah PTA support adequate funding for and encourage consideration of financial incentives to recruit and retain highly qualified and effective educators, including appropriation of adequate funding to upgrade salary schedules;

Resolved, That Utah PTA and its constituent associations encourage the legislature to adequately fund critical educational needs, including but not limited to, class size reduction, teacher salaries, technology, programs, supplies, and evidenced-based practices that have an impact on student achievement

HB0001S01 | Public Education Base Budget Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill supplements or reduces appropriations otherwise provided for the support and operation of public education for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2023, and ending June 30, 2024, and appropriates funds for the support and operation of public education for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2024, and ending June 30, 2025.

Highlighted Provisions:

This is the Public Education Funding bill

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0001S01

Year:

2024

Status:

Governor Signed

Last Action:

Mar 13, 2024

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

$17,290,013,800

This bill appropriates $19,093,800 in operating and capital budgets for fiscal year 2024, including: $9,122,900 from the Uniform School Fund; and $9,970,900 from various sources as detailed in this bill. This bill appropriates $7,742,706,000 in operating and capital budgets for fiscal year 2025, including: $9,157,400 from the General Fund; $4,543,948,700 from the Uniform School Fund; $242,027,800 from the Income Tax Fund; and $2,947,572,100 from various sources as detailed in this bill. This bill appropriates $3,327,000 in expendable funds and accounts for fiscal year 2025. This bill appropriates $881,484,300 in restricted fund and account transfers for fiscal year 2025, including: $500,599,900 from the Uniform School Fund; $379,134,400 from the Income Tax Fund; and $1,750,000 from various sources as detailed in this bill. This bill appropriates $118,600 in fiduciary funds for fiscal year 2025.

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Support w/ Comment

Utah PTA supports a strong funding system for our K-12 public schools. This year's Public Education Base Budget Bill proposes significant funding formula changes to several important programs. These changes are problematic because they create winners and losers among LEAs by giving additional funding to some while taking funding from others. This could cause a loss of programs needed to support our students.

Utah PTA Resolution:

EDU 2023-1 | Education Funding

Impact on Children:

This bill outlines how the funding for Public Education will be spent this year.

Commission:

Education

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

Resolved, That Utah PTA and its constituent associations encourage the legislature to adequately fund critical educational needs, including but not limited to, class size reduction, teacher salaries, technology, programs, supplies, and evidenced-based practices that have an impact on student achievement;

HB0417 | School Materials Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill amends provisions regarding student access to sensitive material within the public education system.

Highlighted Provisions:

This bill directs districts in choosing instructional material, prohibits LEAs from prohibiting public recitation nor display of materials, provides for private right of action against LEAs, waives governmental immunity and amends criminal provisions.

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0417

Year:

2024

Status:

House/ filed

Last Action:

Mar 01, 2024

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

$0

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Oppose w/ Comment

Utah PTA is opposed to children's exposure to sexually explicit materials. Teachers and librarians work hard to support their students and provide them with appropriate materials. Putting criminal penalties on teachers for providing materials to their students is poor policy and will have a chilling effect on recruiting and retaining exceptional educators.

Impact on Children:

This bill will have a detrimental effect on teachers and make it harder to recruit and retain good teachers and librarians. While PTA is opposed to exposing children to sexually explicit materials, subjective materials can be open to interpretation and this will cause confusion and uncertainty.

Commission:

Education

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

Utah PTA Legislative Priorities:

EDUCATION. Support an adequately funded public school system by funding an 8% WPU increase over and above growth and inflation; implement policies to increase proficiency levels by improving attendance, reducing class sizes, and supporting teachers; increase academic excellence for all Utah students; and prioritize local control to LEAs and individual schools.

National PTA and Utah PTA Position Statements:

National: Libraries and Educational Material

National PTA believes that students need access to information in order to explore and experience the diversity of ideas in a pluralistic society. PTA recognizes and supports the rights of parents to guide their children in choosing appropriate reading and educational materials. PTA supports teachers in developing classroom libraries to include appropriate reading and educational materials. PTA also supports the rights of both public libraries and school libraries to provide factually correct and historically accurate information and materials that are free of censorship based on bias, partisanship or doctrinal disapproval.

National PTA Public Policy Agenda

Encourage the development of inclusive curricula and materials that are historically accurate, age and developmentally appropriate and provide a means for students to explore diverse concepts, cultures and perspectives.

SB0093 | School Climate Data Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill amends the required components for establishing and reporting data from the school climate survey.

Highlighted Provisions:

Requires the State Board of Education (state board) to: establish a school climate survey; make rules regarding survey logistics; and report aggregated school-level survey results on the state board's parent portal; describes who should receive a survey;

Bill Details

Bill Number:

SB0093

Year:

2024

Status:

Senate/ filed

Last Action:

Mar 01, 2024

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

$0

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Support w/ Comment

Utah PTA Resolution:

HEA 2019-1 | Prevention & Promotion of Health Behaviors

Impact on Children:

Understanding where our students are in regards to risk and protective factors informs the policies and actions of schools to help provide the education, prevention and necessary interventions.

Commission:

Education

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

Utah PTA and its constituent associations will continue to support methods to gather information (such as the SHARP survey) that will assist in monitoring, anticipating and predicting youth behaviors