This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2011, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Sen. Wayne Niederhauser, R-Sandy, has proposed a bill to grade our schools.
As a teacher, before I grade a student, I make sure my students have the instruction and materials to master the learning they are expected to achieve. Has our Legislature provided that necessary support to education? Here's the Utah Legislature's report card:
• Per-pupil funding: lowest in the nation — F.
• Class size: largest in nation — F.
• Funding for new students: not funded past two years — F.
• Highly regarded, well-educated legislators serving on education committees: Sen. Chris Buttars heads Senate education budget committee — F.
• Education funds spent for education: federal education funds redirected to sate's general budget — F.
• Public charter schools held to the same accountability and standards as public schools: — F.
• Funding for math initiatives: removed — F.
Niederhauser's bill grades schools on standardized test scores. Save those tax dollars; just look at a school's socio-economic status and you'll have the school's grade.
Until our Legislature appropriately funds education, it has no right to grade anything! It has failed to put the money where they say the priority is — our children and their education.
JoLynn Miller
Utah teacher of the year, 2000
Holladay