Policy
Education
Human beings are magnificent. We were born with a God-given ability to learn and the capacity to grow. As Aristotle put it, “All men by nature desire to know.” Education is broader than any one school system. It’s a series of opportunities to learn, which should be delivered in ways that allow us to meet the unique needs of children. The growing diversity of our student population requires an equitable education for every child, which contemplates both productive citizenship and employment and which is delivered by the best teachers – whoever they are.
This vision for education requires humility and the pursuit of good ideas – wherever they come from. We can achieve this by empowering parents to create learning paths as unique as the student, rejecting approaches that undermine decision-making authority of those closest to the student, respecting taxpayers as owners of the public education system, and protecting the marketplace of options and the innovators who contribute to it. Education is necessary because each individual has the potential to accomplish great things. Education should reflect these truths, and we believe it can.
Education
Human beings are magnificent. We were born with a God-given ability to learn and the capacity to grow. As Aristotle put it, “All men by nature desire to know.” Education is broader than any one school system. It’s a series of opportunities to learn, which should be delivered in ways that allow us to meet the unique needs of children. The growing diversity of our student population requires an equitable education for every child, which contemplates both productive citizenship and employment and which is delivered by the best teachers – whoever they are.
This vision for education requires humility and the pursuit of good ideas – wherever they come from. We can achieve this by empowering parents to create learning paths as unique as the student, rejecting approaches that undermine decision-making authority of those closest to the student, respecting taxpayers as owners of the public education system, and protecting the marketplace of options and the innovators who contribute to it. Education is necessary because each individual has the potential to accomplish great things. Education should reflect these truths, and we believe it can.
Published Research
Conversations
How the Mahmoud v. Taylor SCOTUS case will impact parents and schools #utpol #education #scotus
Utah Fits All – protecting religious options #utpol #religion #education
Making up ground in education scores #utpol #education
How curriculum impacts civic decision-making #utpol
How school boards are the vestiges of true democracy #utpol #education
The burden of regulation on teachers' schedules #utpol
How the Mahmoud v. Taylor SCOTUS case will impact parents and schools #utpol #education #scotus
Utah Fits All – protecting religious options #utpol #religion #education
Insights & Takeaways
InsightsA look at the Love Notes curriculum
Evidence-based curriculum is aimed at helping kids create healthy relationships.
InsightsQuestions to candidates in debates reflect high interest in education choice
In both the gubernatorial and attorney general debates, candidates were asked about the lawsuit challenging Utah’s universal education choice program.
InsightsWhere could the success sequence fit in Utah academic standards?
Sutherland is reviewing the Utah Academic Standards and curriculum to find ways to bring this information to students in their prime decision-making years.
CommentaryPolicy objections to scholarship program don’t affect its constitutionality
The state courts are a forum for legal and constitutional reasoning, not a second chance for failed lobbying.
InsightsPublic schools may fall off a spending cliff as pandemic school funds end
The federal government gave $190 billion to public school across the nation to mitigate the challenges of the pandemic and its aftermath. But the relief funds are soon ending.
InsightsToo little transparency or parent engagement?
One way to help parents get involved in their child’s education is to incentivize more teachers to create user-friendly curriculum transparency.
InsightsHow much does district spending impact student outcomes?
Looking at school districts with high graduation rates and low per pupil spending may reveal innovative ways to support graduation and help students complete the success sequence steps.
InsightsSchool choice case: Unpopular doesn’t mean unconstitutional
In a California case, the family of a boy with autism that chose a Jewish school is challenging state’s refusal of educational services it would offer if the child were in public or secular private school.
InsightsGen Z has been named the ‘Toolbelt Generation.’ Is that a good thing?
Many Gen Z young adults are choosing trades over the college track due in part to concerns about the value of college.
InsightsDo we need a one-stop shop for open enrollment data?
In several states, there are online platforms that make open enrollment data and navigation easy for parents. Utah should consider how this might look in our state.
InsightsWhat will this legislative session hold for education policy?
While changes to higher education funding may take up a lot of airtime and gain media attention, plenty will also take place in the K-12 space as well.
InsightsCareer and technical education in 2025: growing support, consensus and participation
Utah’s interest in expanding career and technical education continues to grow, and CTE policy will likely be enhanced during this year’s legislative session.