To believe the federal government is bluffing about withholding funds is naive in light of the decision to withhold funding in three other states.

NCLB requires each state to develop state standards for all children. States need to have the same, rather than lower, expectations for students of color, limited English-proficient students and economically disadvantaged students. It was no longer acceptable to lower the bar for these students.

The Utah Performance Assessment System for Students approved by the Legislature in 2000 was, and still is, Utah's standard. Utah superintendents, testing directors and community members committed to use those sections of U-PASS, specifically the end-of-course tests in reading and mathematics that were already required and consistent for all students and schools. Hence, the federal Adequate Yearly Progress standard for the state was defined.

In the April 2005 revised NCLB plan, the U-PASS accountability system has undergone dramatic changes in how schools, districts and students will be held accountable. This revised plan incorporates many more assessments than are required by the federal government, is inconsistent in the expectations of schools and applies federal-like labels to schools based on state-mandated requirements.

U-PASS is not better; it just results in more student testing and anticipates little accountability for disadvantaged students. Parents and citizens must guard against losing any funding that supports the academic achievement of low-performing students, especially when our state Legislature is so reluctant to fund education at adequate levels - that is immoral.

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Bonnie Morgan served as associate superintendent of education in Utah from 2001-2002. She is now retired and lives in Sandy.