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.
Partisan State School Board elections? Utah Supreme Court weighing constitutionality
This article originally appeared on the Deseret News. Read it in its entirety here. SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Supreme Court took under advisement …
Competency-Based Learning for Athletes in Utah
As a current high school student, grades have often weighed on me, and I have felt like strict grading has restricted my ability to explore …
Outspoken member of State Board of Education draws criticism over controversial comments
This article originally appeared on KUTV. Read it in its entirety here. (KUTV) — An outspoken member of the State Board of Education is drawing …
Sexual orientation question will be added to national student survey for first time ever
This article originally appeared on KUTV. Read it in its entirety here. (KUTV) — For the first time ever, a sexual orientation question will be …
Enough is still enough
I will never forget the small, high-pitched voice behind me in the crowd of thousands that tirelessly chanted, “enough is enough.” When chanting had become …
November Is a Time to Be Grateful…And to Learn More About the Legislature
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]It’s the middle of November, which means we are smack dab in the middle of the holiday season. Next week is Thanksgiving and Christmas is …
Op-ed: Let’s not subject the school board to party politics
Source: Deseret News Having been a member of the Utah State Board of Education during what was perhaps its most “rocky period,” 1976-1984, I am, of …
Preliminary Injunction Requested in Constitutional Challenge to Partisan School Board Elections
PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, September 29, 2017 CONTACT: Chase Thomas | ABU Education Fund | chase@betterutah.org – – – – – – PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION …