• A breakdown in communication and understanding between parents and teachers may be a contributing factor to the current parent-teacher perception gap.
• Sutherland has provided policy recommendations to improve the parent-teacher relationship.
• Many school districts are already working to improve methods of access to curriculum.

With Election Day quickly approaching, education policy is top-of-mind for many Utah voters. Recent research from Sutherland Institute aims to forge a path forward on the topic.

What does the research say?

“There’s a lot of room to strengthen the parent-teacher relationship in the public school system,” said Christine Cooke Fairbanks, Sutherland’s education policy fellow. “According to our recent polling, this might be due to some breakdowns in communication and understanding.”

Fairbanks was referring to recent survey data that showed only 16% of parents believe instructional materials and curriculum are “extremely” or “very” accessible, while 55% of teachers believe the materials are “extremely” or “very” accessible.

What are Sutherland and Utah leaders doing to solve the problem?

In a recent Sutherland publication, Fairbanks presents recommendations that she believes could help improve parent access to curriculum, benefit teachers professionally, and provide a better education to students.

In a recent Deseret News article, Fairbanks went into more detail about parent access. While highlighting ways that Utah is doing well, she offered ways for school districts to improve access to curriculum and learning materials on their respective websites.

On recent Sutherland Defending Ideas podcasts, featured guests Rich Nye, senior advisor for education to Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, and Rick Hess, director of education policy studies for the American Enterprise Institute, discussed broader plans to strengthen the partnership between parents and teachers, improve parent access to curriculum and increase education options for parents in Utah.

Sutherland’s research and recommendations culminated in a panel discussion in September with Utah policymakers and education leaders. At the event, Fairbanks asked policymakers to work to improve the parent-teacher relationship.

“If that is strong, then students can learn better and actually find success,” she said. “That requires coordination from the district level, from the state board, the Legislature and the governor’s office.”

What changes can parents and teachers look for in 2025?

Following the panel discussion and Fairbanks’s recommendations, some school districts have already begun the process to improve their website functionality. The Utah State Board of Education has shared Sutherland’s research on its website, making the recommendations known to teachers and parents alike. With the 2025 Utah legislative session approaching, parents and teachers might expect to see some of these recommendations brought to light as legislative proposals or district reforms.

For a more in-depth perspective on this article, review our Education Issues Page here.