That point is well taken, and we have supported it, as long as we felt confident that Utah's education leaders sincerely meant to do a better job than might be accomplished by the federal No Child Left Behind act in helping all children - including those of racial and ethnic minorities and English learners - to achieve grade level in core subjects.
But now we have some doubts, fostered partially by the state school board's decision to increase from 10 to 40 the number of children in sub-groups that would be tested for progress in math and reading under NCLB. That action, coming alongside the Legislature's challenge, concerns us.
Many of Utah's 800-plus schools have fewer than 40 minority students or English learners. Under the new Utah standard, those schools will not be held accountable for the progress of those students, enlarging the same old crack in the system that has swallowed these kids for decades.
We hope legislators keep two key issues in mind as they meet in special session Tuesday to consider House Bill 135, which would direct the State Board of Education and school districts to ignore NCLB mandates when they conflict with state education reform policies or when they are unfunded.
First, Utah has a growing Latino school-age population, and more than half of those children test below grade level. If schools don't do a better job of measuring the achievement of Latino students - and those of other minority groups - the achievement gap between white and minority students is likely to widen.
No Child Left Behind requires schools to help those students achieve the same standard as their peers. If HB135 means Utah schools will not be held accountable for their progress, legislators should reject it.
Second, Utah schools can ill afford to lose the federal money, estimated at $107 million, most of which goes to schools with the highest number of disadvantaged students. Those funds could be withheld by Washington if HB135 passes.
Sponsors of HB135 are demanding that the federal government get out of Utah's classrooms. If accountability and millions in federal funding for the state's minority children go with it, that is too high a price for independence.
