One was a resolution - House Joint Resolution 3, put forth by Rep. Kory Holdaway, R-Taylorsville - to recognize Utah's efforts to measure student competency and sustain quality schools.

The other was House Bill 135: Rep. Margaret Dayton's effort to mediate the power struggle between state priorities and President Bush's federal mandate to reform public schools with imposed standardized tests.

"We're following the spirit of the law, but we cannot afford to follow the letter of the law, " the Orem Republican said.

Last year, Dayton floated the idea of boycotting NCLB altogether. But when Washington threatened to slash $106 million in federal funding - including money earmarked for Utah's disadvantaged students - the proposal nose-dived.

So Dayton came back this year with a bill that interprets federal policies in a way she believes best serves Utah students.

Local school districts and the state Office of Education are encouraged to put state priorities ahead of NCLB requirements. And school officials and parents are asked to help lobby for greater flexibility and clarification when rules don't make sense.

By way of example, Dayton said complying with NCLB goes against the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

"If we comply with one, we're in violation of the other," she said. Either way, the state loses funds.

State schools Superintendent Patti Harrington sat beside Dayton and echoed the legislator's concerns. She said only 7 percent of the money spent on Utah public schools comes from NCLB.

"But they want to control 100 percent of what goes on in classrooms."

Harrington said the federal government should "get out of the business of telling us how to do it, and stay in the business of holding us accountable for results."

jravitz@sltrib.com