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.
InsightsPublic 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.
Press ReleaseSutherland Announces New Collaboration with Utah Governor’s Office, Key Partners to Pursue Social Safety Net Reform
Sutherland Institute announced the creation of a new working group to pursue policy reforms that strengthen the transition from government assistance to self-reliance.
CommentaryNational politics may shake up the federal approach to education. Utah should stay the course
Utahns simultaneously support education choice and better public schools.
InsightsHow 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.
CommentaryImpacts 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.
TakeawaysUtah 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.
InsightsNinth 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.
InsightsCould 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.
CommentaryThe Supreme Court Shouldn’t Let The Federal Government Control 70 Percent Of A State’s Land
The court should accept Utah’s case and give the state a chance to make its argument against this federal overreach.
As election season winds down, the U.S. Supreme Court term has just begun
The Supreme Court is being petitioned to consider three cases on religious freedom. Here's why the court should take them on.
Utah’s 2025 education agenda: What to expect for the parent-teacher partnership
What does the research say about Utah education and how are Utah leaders improving parent access to curriculum?
Civics Refresher: How to vote in Utah
Utah has three ways for you to cast your vote this Election Day. We explain the process for each one.
How early traditions made school open enrollment necessary
Property tax for funding schools and redlining are among the reasons behind current neighborhood-based school assignments.
Utah’s U.S. Senate delegation at the Congressional Series
Sens. Romney and Lee participated in the 2024 Congressional Series. Here’s what they said.
Does access to information impact parent involvement in education?
Parents and teachers have different views on what stops parents from being more involved. Understanding what constitutes “enough information” for parents may be helpful.
The Comeback Kid: Trump is attempting a maneuver only one president has pulled off
Cleveland ran on a “drain the swamp” platform – and later used allegations of a stolen election – at a time of deep distrust in government, political polarization and wide economic gaps.
Those who treat politics as religion undermine the Constitution they claim to love
When people make politics their faith, growing distrust in institutions is inevitable — as those with different political views now become the enemies of truth.
What self-reports of parent and teacher efforts reveal for reform
Self-reports of teachers sharing curriculum and parent involvement highlight inconsistencies that public policy can help address.
