Insights & Takeaways is Sutherland Institute’s official blog that informs the public and policymakers alike. The blog addresses important issues through the two distinct yet complementary lenses of the seasoned policy professional and the engaged citizen.
Insights: analysis, research, and informed commentary from Sutherland experts. For elected officials and public policy professionals.
Takeaways: the most important things voters need to know. For civically engaged citizens.
InsightsWhat do academic scores on the ‘Nation’s Report Card’ tell us?
Students haven’t made up for the learning loss from the pandemic, and in many cases, they are still declining. But there are some wins and promising trends.
InsightsMore state control will mean less catastrophic wildfire
Congress should amend the law to encourage public land agencies to gradually transfer land that is not dedicated as a national park or a similar federal purpose to the states.
InsightsUnderstanding Utah’s app store bill
Given the risk of social media and other technologies to children, it is reasonable for Utah to ensure parents can be involved in decisions about their use.
InsightsNew Supreme Court case at intersection of religion and parents’ rights in education
Despite state law, Maryland school district declined to give parents notice of teaching of sensitive sexuality-related topics and the ability to opt their children out. The parents sued.
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.
Press ReleaseSutherland releases new research audit on Utah’s federalism rating
Sutherland Institute released a new research publication evaluating how well Utah’s governance lives up to the principle of federalism and shows ways the state could improve.
CommentaryParents can’t be involved in child’s app downloads? That’s a legal stretch
The right of free speech does not include a right to have an audience of minors whose parents are unaware of or uninvolved in their use of technology.
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.
Home-based education in 2025: the numbers and top issues
Home-schooling rates are increasing across the country long after the pandemic, with an estimate of 5% of students being home-schooled.
Obscured guidance from federal agencies creates an accountability gap. What can the state do?
Sutherland recently testified to legislative panel about the need for transparency in guidance provided by federal agencies to state and local governments in Utah.
Public schools in 2025: enrollment and key issues
Among the issues Utah education leaders have championed are expanding CTE, addressing absenteeism, and helping English language learners.
National politics may shake up the federal approach to education. Utah should stay the course
Utahns simultaneously support education choice and better public schools.
How Utah can prohibit address discrimination in open enrollment policy
Public policy ought to ensure a student’s residential address is not a reason to deny an application to transfer to another school.
Impacts as far as the eye can see: Utah’s public lands lawsuit
A new dawn of federalism may be coming to our states, particularly as it pertains to federal lands. The potential impacts are quite literally vast.
Utah Fits All: An unknown – yet important – education scholarship
While the majority of parents are unaware of the scholarship program, its benefits could provide a much-needed leg up for families.
Ninth Circuit slaps down California’s denial of special ed funds for religious schools
Following Supreme Court precedent, the court holds that excluding religious schools from a grant program is unconstitutional discrimination against religion and a violation of religious freedom.
Could Trump’s second term forever change federal education policy?
President-elect proposes using federal funding preferences for states that make changes like adopting complete curriculum transparency and universal school choice, among other reforms.
