Sen. Howard Stephenson, R-Draper, is asking a legislative committee to study the effectiveness, value and funding of I.B. programs this year in hopes the committee can make recommendations to the Legislature for next session. The request comes after a tumultuous session for I.B., a program where students can earn college credit by taking rigorous courses that expose them to world perspectives. The program is now in seven Utah high schools.

Stephenson, who was the third member to vote in committee in February against the original bill to help fund I.B., said Friday he still hasn't made up his mind about the program.

"I don't know enough to make a judgment," Stephenson said. "I've visited the I.B. program at West High and was quite impressed, but at the same time I've heard some concerns from teachers and parents about the tenor of I.B. programs at their particular schools, and I don't know if that's unique to their schools or widespread."

The debate over I.B. began when Sen. Margaret Dayton, R-Orem, called the program's philosophy "anti-American" and voted in committee, along with Stephenson and Sen. Darin Peterson, R-Nephi, against helping to fund it. Ultimately, lawmakers decided to put $100,000 toward state I.B. programs after students, parents and teachers flooded legislators with complaints.

Dayton ended up apologizing for not being more appropriate in her original comments about I.B, and Peterson changed his mind about the program after visiting an I.B. class at West High.

Rep. Carol Spackman Moss, D-Holladay, who sponsored the original bill to help fund I.B. programs, said she welcomes more study.

"I think we'll see we're getting good results," Spackman Moss said. "We'll see it's getting kids ready for college and giving them a head start on college, which is what the Legislature is always talking about."

Legislative leaders will likely discuss issues to study this year in a meeting Wednesday.

Though Utah might study the program further this year, the federal government has already given the program financial support. The U.S. Department of Education announced this week it will give 39 states $11 million in grants to help them pay for testing fees for I.B. and Advanced Placement (A.P.) students from low-income families. Utah is slated to get $24,300.

President Bush has also asked Congress to increase funding for A.P. and I.B. programs to $70 million in fiscal year 2009.

"It's confirmation that this program is very highly regarded throughout the nation as a rigorous, relevant program that really prepares kids for college and helps them get through college more quickly," said Rebecca Van Dyke, Clearfield High School I.B. coordinator.

Van Dyke said the $24,300 to help low-income test takers could make a big difference at her school.

She said one student at her school has already decided not to go for the I.B. diploma because the student's family can't afford the tests, which together can cost about $600, Van Dyke said.

"For some parents, that's nothing, and for other parents, that's everything," Van Dyke said.

lschencker@sltrib.com