For the second time this session, Orem Republican Rep. Jim Ferrin tried unsuccessfully Tuesday to persuade his colleagues to sign off on a bill that would have allowed charter schools to drop the Technology, Life and Careers Courses that Utah seventh- and eighth-graders are required to take.
After rural lawmakers endorsed the course, the bill failed to pass a floor vote two weeks ago. Ferrin removed references to school districts in the bill and amended the legislation to require charter schools to offer six hours of "career and agri-business" instruction.
"This significantly shrinks the field of people to whom this applies to schools of choice that are meant to be labs of innovation," he said.
Still, lawmakers balked.
Rep. Sheryl Allen, R-Bountiful, said Ferrin's bill would set up "inconsistent" policies for public schools and charter schools.
House Bill 189 failed 41-25.
- Rebecca Walsh
