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.
TakeawaysHow religious communities are leading the hurricane relief effort
As communities across the Southeast recover from Hurricane Helene, religious communities have come together to help.
InsightsThe most ‘consequential’ election
While politicos every four years refer to the next presidential election as “the most consequential in American history,” none compares to 1860.
CommentaryHow to vote your economic values
The economy may define the election. Which candidate has the better plan?
InsightsHow information lag could be impacting the parent-teacher partnership
Recent polling shows that parents and teachers diverge on views of curriculum access and satisfaction with Canvas. Helping parents access what’s already available to them could help.
CommentaryAmendment D decision should heighten focus on the most important constitutional considerations
Judicial restraint, in keeping with the constitutional separation of powers, has helped make Utah an example of good governance to the nation. Utah judges, policymakers and voters ought to carefully consider the ramifications of moving away from that bedrock legal principle.
InsightsRewarding teachers who make curriculum accessible to parents
New polling shows that parents and teachers diverge on curriculum accessibility. Voluntary incentive programs could help close the gap.
TakeawaysAmerica’s arduous road to religious freedom
America’s support for religious freedom was not always so broad. To prevent the same mistakes, it’s important to know our country’s history on the issue.
Press ReleaseUtah’s 2025 Education Policy Agenda
New survey data from Sutherland Institute highlights parent-teacher perception gap.
Insights2 ways that policymakers can support public schools trying to do more with less
Lawmakers could consider offering incentives – instead of giving mandates – and help facilitate parent engagement.
A framework for the congressional efforts in education policy
Congress can reduce its interference in K-12 education by changing the way it approaches education issues already on its desk.
How Utah school boards, districts, lawmakers can close parent-access gap
Parent access to curriculum requires a strong parent-teacher partnership, but better implementation by the individual school districts and state is also necessary.
‘So unimaginable and so abhorrent’: UCLA case is a reminder of how bigotry resurfaces
Court rebukes university over how it allowed protesters to exclude Jews from areas of campus.
Passing Educational-Freedom Legislation Is Only the First Step
School-choice advocates face challenges beyond just implementation, even in friendly states.
Utah is a leader in open enrollment – but it could do more
Open enrollment, which Utah has had since 1990, is not nearly as controversial as other types of education choice policies, but it is a key education choice tool nonetheless.
New Utah poll shows broad support for ‘core freedoms’ of religion
Survey of likely Utah voters finds very strong support for the idea that religious freedom is a net benefit for society, even among those who are not religious.
Anxious about election season? Look to federalism
Solutions to many of America’s problems can be solved at the community level, rather than through the power of a select few.
Spending and performance: How do charter schools stack up?
In reviewing Utah’s charter schools, we see that there is not a clear trend between higher per student spending and better performance on metrics on school report cards.
Why the reasoning behind Utah Supreme Court’s ruling on abortion is so alarming
The role of the court is to apply existing law enacted by the people and their representatives, not to discern new policies in nebulous meta principles behind the law in a way that usurps the Legislature’s role.
