Last week the 2020 legislative session ended. So where did it leave education in Utah?

While there is still plenty of work to be done, there have been noteworthy efforts to innovate in education policy – including the addition of a civics pilot program, more choices for students with special needs, and funding changes. It’s not settled whether any of these is the best policy, but the conversation surrounding each shows positive signs for innovation.

Here are a few updates by topic.

Civics education

The Legislature passed HB 334 – Civics Education Amendments, which requires the state Board of Education to create a three-year pilot program to which districts and charter schools can apply – allowing them to offer civics engagement projects rather than just coursework. It also provides professional development for educators at the schools chosen to pilot the program.

In the long term, future legislative work on the civics education front will still be required – reviewing the pilot’s results and then scaling, scrapping or changing it – which isn’t a bad thing, since statewide robust civic understanding is a broad issue and not likely to be addressed in one single session.

The best outcome for civics education from the 2020 session is increased awareness of the quiet crisis in Utah’s civic participation and continued discussion in communities about how to improve.

For those interested in civics education outside of the general legislative session, the Utah State Board of Education is gearing up for a social studies standards review for grades K-6, which means the public can get involved during public comment periods

Special needs choices

The Legislature also passed HB 332 3rd Substitute – Special Needs Scholarship Amendments, a scholarship that offers students with an individualized education program (IEP) the opportunity to purchase a range of educational options that meet their unique needs. Purchases could include textbooks, therapies, fees, exams, supplemental materials, and more. The program would be dependent on donations rather than a yearly appropriation.

This piece of legislation builds on the popular Carson Smith Scholarship, which has garnered broad bipartisan support, while also offering new options and growth where the Carson Smith Scholarship has current limitations.

Individualizing education for the diverse group of students in our public education system is an important and shared goal – and this policy gets Utah closer to that.

Funding

The governor, Legislature and major education advocacy groups came to an agreement on significant changes in the way public education is funded – subject to voter approval this fall.

SJR 9 – Proposal to Amend Utah Constitution – Use of Tax Revenue allows income tax revenue to support services for children and individuals with disabilities. HB 357 – Public Education Funding Stabilization moves the Minimum School Program funding into a constitutionally protected account for K-12 education and ensures funding adjusts with enrollment growth and inflation.

This comes in addition to a 6% increase to the crucial weighted pupil unit (WPU) and increased funds to retain teachers. How all this will impact perennial requests for more education funding is to be seen. But for now, there is common agreement on this legislative proposal for reforming education funding.

In spite of a unique legislative session, with too few drafting attorneys, plus the novel coronavirus precautions implemented partway through, the Legislature should be commended for its efforts to think innovatively in education.