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Education

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HB0394S01 | Hold Harmless for Public Education Enrollment Decline

Description
General Description: 

This bill contingently provides additional funding for the Minimum School Program in certain fiscal years.

Highlighted Provisions: 

13          This bill:
14          ▸     contingently provides additional funding for the Minimum School Program in
15     certain fiscal years;
16          ▸     subjects the provision of additional funding to a sunset review by a legislative
17     committee;

Bill Details
Bill Number: 
HB0394S01
Year: 
2023
Status: 
Governor Signed
Last Action: 
Mar 14, 2023
Sponsor
Representative
Karen M. Peterson
Republican - District 13
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
View Fiscal Note
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Pending
Utah PTA Resolution: 
EDU 2023-1 | Education Funding
Impact on Children: 

Data shows that student enrollment growth will decline over the next 10 years. This will lead to less funding for schools. This bill freezes the enrollment growth for five years so funding levels will not decrease. Implementation of this bill will only occur if the constitutional amendment is approved in the 2024 General election. 

Commission: 
Education
Utah PTA Public Policy Program
National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions: 

Resolved, That Utah PTA and its constituent associations continue to urge the legislature to make public education revenue allocations and funding effort a high priority; and, be it further
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; and, be it further
Resolved, That Utah PTA and its constituent associations support the maintenance of a stable and adequate funding mechanism to support public education based on the following principles: enrollment growth; inflation; support of a K-12 education Economic Stabilization Restricted Account; funding the USBE Strategic Plan.

Utah PTA Legislative Policy: 

Prioritizing the needs of all children and youth, while adhering to fiscal responsibility in government.

Maximum local control when it serves the best interest of all children and youth.

Continued maintenance of the constitutional guarantee of financial support for public schools as the first claim on state revenues.

Utah PTA Legislative Priorities: 

1. EDUCATION FUNDING. Support an adequately funded public school system by: supporting a 6.5% WPU increase over and above growth and inflation to be used for purposes such as recruiting, supporting, and retaining teachers; supporting increased access to full-day kindergarten by funding K-12 students at a full WPU; and supporting policies to increase proficiency levels in public schools, improving attendance, and increase academic excellence for all Utah students.

HB0508 | Education Funding Amendments

Description
General Description: 

This bill requires the State Board of Education to report recommendations to the Public Education Appropriations Subcommittee regarding the conversion of all public education funding to the weighted pupil unit.

Highlighted Provisions: 

Requires the State board to convert public education funding to WPU entirely.

Bill Details
Bill Number: 
HB0508
Year: 
2023
Status: 
House/ filed
Last Action: 
Mar 03, 2023
Sponsor
Representative
Kera Birkeland
Republican - District 4
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
View Fiscal Note
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Oppose w/ Comment

Utah PTA has always advocated for adequate funding so that Utah public education could deliver on its charge and promise to educating all Utah youth. With the obligation to serve all students, Utah PTA recognizes the complexity and challenges that Utah public education faces. Utah PTA is cautious in its understanding of the intent and impact of a full conversion to WPU, and expresses concerns as to the timeline for feasibility.

Utah PTA Resolution: 
EDU 2023-1 | Education Funding
Impact on Children: 

The language of this bill is insufficient to measure the impact on children.

Commission: 
Education
Utah PTA Public Policy Program
National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions: 

That Utah PTA and its constituent associations support the maintenance of a stable and adequate funding mechanism to support public education

HB0234S02 | University Recognition for International Baccalaureate Achievement

Description
General Description: 

This bill enacts and amends provisions related to credit for prior learning in higher education.

Highlighted Provisions: 

"1. all institutions shall award credit to a student who receives an International Baccalaureate programme subject score of four or higher for an International Baccalaureate programme course (except for credit duplication)
(b) An institution, shall determine whether the credit awarded in Subsection will satisfy electives, general education requirements, or major requirements."

Bill Details
Bill Number: 
HB0234S02
Year: 
2023
Status: 
Governor Signed
Last Action: 
Mar 14, 2023
Sponsor
Representative
Carol Spackman Moss
Democrat - District 34
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
View Fiscal Note
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Support
Utah PTA Resolution: 
EDU 2023-3 | Serving Gifted/Accelerated Learners
Impact on Children: 

Students will benefit from credits earned in IB programs

Commission: 
Education
Utah PTA Public Policy Program
National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions: 

Resolved, That Utah PTA and its constituent associations encourage the State Board of  Education and the state legislature to support local education agencies(LEAs) in developing programs which promote the appropriate educational, social, and emotional development of gifted/accelerated learners; and be it further

Resolved, That Utah PTA and its constituent associations encourage the State Board of Education and LEA boards to offer professional development opportunities and incentives for teachers to properly identify gifted and talented students and provide differentiated curriculum for these learners

HJR003 | Joint Resolution Recognizing School Teachers

Description
General Description: 

This resolution recognizes Utah's public school educators for their extraordinary efforts to educate students during a public health crisis.

Highlighted Provisions: 

13 ▸ acknowledges the challenges educators in Utah's public schools faced in providing instruction during a public health crisis, including the challenges of remote
17 ▸ declares that curricular decisions should be made at the local level.
Recognizes National Teacher Appreciation Day on May 2, 2023
Legislature declares that curriculum choices for Utah students will continue to be made at the local school district

Bill Details
Bill Number: 
HJR003
Year: 
2023
Status: 
House/ to Lieutenant Governor
Last Action: 
Mar 13, 2023
Sponsor
Representative
Jefferson S. Burton
Republican - District 64
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
View Fiscal Note
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Support
Utah PTA Resolution: 
EDU 2011-1 | Excellence in Teaching
Impact on Children: 

Utah PTA recognizes the immense contribution of teachers in helping students achieve their full potential. Teacher quality is the single most important school-based factor in student achievement and teacher morale is essential to job satisfaction in the retention of teachers when measuring public school efficacy. This Resolution recognizes the importance of Utah's teachers to our public education system. 

Commission: 
Education
Utah PTA Public Policy Program
National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions: 

Resolved, That Utah PTA advocate for policies that strengthen respect and support for public education and the teaching profession.

HB0185 | Public Education Enrollment Options Amendments

Description
General Description: 

This bill addresses public education enrollment options.

Highlighted Provisions: 

This Bill:
▸ allows a local education agency to provide a home-centered, school-supported enrollment option allowing students to complete a portion of the students' course 
work from home; prohibits home school students from participating in a home-centered, school-supported enrollment option;

Bill Details
Bill Number: 
HB0185
Year: 
2023
Status: 
Governor Signed
Last Action: 
Mar 13, 2023
Sponsor
Representative
Susan Pulsipher
Republican - District 45
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
View Fiscal Note
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Support
Utah PTA Resolution: 
EDU 2011-1 | Excellence in Teaching
Impact on Children: 

This bill allows students enrolled in an LEA to complete part of their course work at home and the rest of theoir course work at the school. Enrolled students are still subject to the same testing and standards at traditionally enrolled students. The LEA's funding for these students remains the same. Homeschool students are not eligible.

Commission: 
Education
Utah PTA Public Policy Program
National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions: 

That Utah PTA advocate for policies that strengthen respect and support for public education and the teaching profession

Education

WE'RE ALL IN FOR EDUCATION

EDUCATION EMPOWERS YOUNG MINDS

Quality public education is crucially important to individual families and the future of our society.

Utah PTA is committed to connecting families and schools by providing a range of information, resources and training to empower parents to actively participate at all levels of decision-making: from the school site, to local school boards, to state and federal government bodies. PTA works to inform its membership of education issues and to advocate at every school and district.

Whether it is understanding Utah state standards and local curriculum, or how to help a child succeed with homework, learning about high-school course options and college/career readiness, or serving on a citizen’s committee for the school district, families need information that empowers them to be involved with their children and community.

Understanding how school systems work increases the likelihood of parent and community involvement, which makes education more effective and responsive for students.

Education
Public Education is the means by which values, citizenship, literacy, and numeracy are transmitted from one generation to another. Education is also the number one predictor of a child’s future prosperity
Learn about Education Advocacy
Individual Development
The social, emotional and ethical development of young people is just as important as their academic
development. It is, in fact, the precursor to academic achievement. This includes Character Development and Arts Education.
Creating Well-rounded Children
Special Needs
Children with special needs, their parents and teachers all face a unique set of challenges.
Recognize Special Needs
Trust Lands
Utah PTA was at the forefront of the reform efforts, helping to ensure Trust Land assets survived.
Learn about Trust Lands
Page Details
Tags: 
Trust Lands
Education
Individual Development
Special Needs Specialist