Utahns consistently rate education as a top priority, but the Beehive State has fallen behind in school. On a per-student basis, we spend less than any other state in the nation. The majority of our graduating seniors are not prepared for college, and we rank in the bottom ten percent for overall student achievement. Our classrooms are bloated; our teachers are underpaid. As of last year, state school board elections require candidates to declare party affiliation, which could result in more polarized elections, alienation of LGBT students, and danger for children of immigrants.
Our partner organization, the ABU Education Fund, has joined as a plaintiff in a lawsuit to challenge the partisan requirements to run for the state school board, but we’ve got a long road ahead of us. Learn more about how you can support our legal efforts and help Utah students make the grade.
Better education starts in our elections
It’s no secret that Utah’s funding of education is lackluster compared to the rest of the country. On average, the United States spends $12,612 on …
What’s the deal with Amendment G?
Utah has 7 constitutional amendments on the ballot this year. The one that’s attracting the most pushback is Amendment G, which would change the way …
Why are teens so angry?
Katie Kern is a high school policy intern for Alliance for a Better Utah. Why are teens so angry? Why are they so violent? Why …
Katie Matheson: Parents should not face pandemic alone
This article originally appeared in the Salt Lake Tribune. Read it in its entirety here. I’m a parent. And like many parents, I often struggle to know what is best for my kids. That comes with …
Big Utah school funding changes clear first legislative hurdles
This article originally appeared in the Salt Lake Tribune. Read it in its entirety here. Lawmakers on Thursday took the first steps toward asking Utahns …
Press Release: Better Utah responds to tax reform draft
PRESS RELEASEFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 7, 2019 Salt Lake City, UT – Today, the Tax Restructuring and Equalization Tax Force released the over 100-page draft …
Time for Utah to be pro-family in action, not just words
This commentary originally appeared in the Salt Lake Tribune. Recently, a group of Utah lawmakers introduced a “pro-family” bill package featuring expanded contraceptive access, comprehensive …
Press Release: Better Utah responds to tax reform proposal
PRESS RELEASEFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 18, 2019 Salt Lake City, UT – Today, the Tax Restructuring and Equalization Task Force released its first draft of …