education

New Natural History Museum Exhibit Gives a Look Into the Eye of the Storm

Brian Grimmett — Thu, 23 May 2013 20:38:36 +0000

The Natural History Museum of Utah is opening a new exhibit that examines how some of the Earth’s most dangerous natural disasters happen.

At one of the several hands-on learning experiences at the new Nature Unleashed exhibit, a group of 4th graders from Rose Creek Elementary School learn about what happens to buildings built on sandy soil during an earthquake. Lisa Thompson, the manager of public programs, says she hopes hands on experiences like this one help people make an emotional connection with the powerful natural events that help shape the Earth.

Group Urges Governor to Bow Out of Federal Land Grab

Whittney Evans — Wed, 22 May 2013 23:20:27 +0000

Activists are calling on Governor Gary Herbert to halt Utah’s efforts to seize control of federal land in the state. Educators, parents and students gathered at Liberty Park this morning to ask state lawmakers to find realistic solutions to funding education and stop taking aim at public lands.

Ethan Lake is a senior at West High School in Salt Lake City. He says the state is blessed with a beautiful natural environment.

KUER News Pod: Wednesday May 22, 2013

Brian Grimmett — Wed, 22 May 2013 16:40:02 +0000

The Salt Lake City School Board considers a tax increase, the Federal Government will now manage Utah’s high-risk health pool, and Utah’s congressional delegation feels confident about the future of Hill Air Force Base.

Governor Signs Student Safety Bills at Cyprus High

Whittney Evans — Fri, 17 May 2013 22:40:27 +0000

Governor Gary Herbert ceremonially signed a package of student safety bills this morning at Cyprus High School in Magna. He also spoke to students about preventing suicide among kids in Utah.

The new laws are aimed at preventing youth suicide, bullying and teen traffic accidents caused by distracted driving. But the occasion was mostly focused on suicide, which according to the Utah Department of Health is the second leading cause of death among Utah youth and young adults.

KUER News Pod: Thursday May 16, 2013

Brian Grimmett — Thu, 16 May 2013 17:27:49 +0000

Utah lawmakers look into ways to encourage people to buy long-term care insurance, a state Senator suggests that the Attorney General become an appointed position, and the Utah Republican Party considers pushing for the elimination of the Common Core academic standards.

Utah Charter School Nurtures Entrepreneurial Spirit

Whittney Evans — Wed, 15 May 2013 07:35:00 +0000

A new charter school in Utah wants to equip students in kindergarten through ninth grade with a solid foundation in business.

Students' daily lessons are peppered with concepts like sales and marketing, finance and entrepreneurship, says first-grade teacher Tammy Hill. "And that plays into leadership and improved math skills. And finance plays into every part of their lives."

About 580 students attend Highmark Charter School in a suburb just north of Salt Lake City. They earn play money by turning in homework on time and performing chores.

KUER News Pod: Wednesday May 1, 2013

Brian Grimmett — Wed, 01 May 2013 19:30:36 +0000

Senator Mike Lee speaks out against the common core education standards, the opening of Willard Bay state park could be delayed even more, and animal rights activists celebrate a victory in a case dealing with Utah’s so called “ag-gag” law.

Navajo Nation Gains Access to Student Data

Whittney Evans — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 22:59:55 +0000

The Navajo Nation now has the authority to access the assessment data of Navajo students throughout Utah. Navajo representatives joined state education officials this morning to sign a memorandum of understanding that will help the two entities cooperate in sharing the data.

KUER News Pod: Monday April 8, 2013

Brian Grimmett — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 17:07:15 +0000

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints holds its annual general conference, a group of LDS women seek the priesthood, and the Utah State Office of Education questions what type of student data should be public.

Ed Officials Seek AG's Opinion on Student Data Issue

Whittney Evans — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 15:45:32 +0000

The Utah State Office of Education is seeking the Attorney General’s opinion on what type of student data should be published. The board is asking the Attorney General to reconcile two state statutes they say cause the confusion. But not everyone believes a conflict exists.

Some argue classroom-level testing data allows the public to see how teachers perform. While others say the numbers could be read out of context.

KUER News Pod: Friday March 29, 2013

Brian Grimmett — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 20:42:27 +0000

Governor Herbert says he’s close to a decision about the Snake Valley water agreement, the Utah Foundation addresses the conflict between education and transportation, and the Department of Corrections gets a new executive director.

KUER News Pod: Wednesday March 6, 2013

Brian Grimmett — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 18:13:13 +0000

Utah students and families battle the rising cost of higher education, a bill to fund preschool programs for at-risk children fails in the Utah Senate, and Representative Jim Matheson introduces legislation to end straight ticket voting.

Utahns Struggle With Rising Cost of Higher Education

Whittney Evans — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 16:53:25 +0000

Every year thousands of Utahns wonder how they’re going to pay for college. Whether they’re high school seniors, returning members of the military or single moms and dads looking for a new opportunity, the financial obligations that come with a college degree are usually the biggest obstacle. KUER explores the unique struggles of Utah students to overcome the escalating cost of college. It’s part of our look this week at The Future of Higher Education.

Attempt to Fund Pre-School for At-Risk Children Fails in Senate

Brian Grimmett — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 23:50:22 +0000

A controversial bill that would help create preschool programs for at-risk children failed in the Utah Senate today.

Youth Suicide Prevention Bill Moves Out of Senate

Brian Grimmett — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 21:29:00 +0000

A bill that would require schools to notify the parents of children who are being bullied or who have threatened suicide has passed out of the Utah Senate today. Sen. Luz Robles, D-Salt Lake says SB184 is aimed at helping parents share responsibility with the schools and allow them to be more engaged in what happens with their children.

KUER News Pod: Wednesday February 6, 2013

Brian Grimmett — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 19:25:28 +0000

Utah Governor Gary Herbert promotes Prosperity 2020 goals in Washington, D.C., Utah Democrats call for the protection of Utah’s greater canyonlands, and the Division of Air Quality is targeting the use of toxic consumer cleaning products.

KUER News Pod: Friday February 1, 2013

Brian Grimmett — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 19:05:44 +0000

A Utah legislator tries to give more control to individual schools, speed limits on I-15 and I-80 could be getting higher, and Senator Orrin Hatch proposes a high-skilled immigration bill.

Bill Gives Local Schools More Control Over Spending

Whittney Evans — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 03:14:57 +0000

Republican Senator Howard Stephenson wants local schools to have more control over where they spend their money. The Draper lawmaker is sponsoring a bill that would require school districts distribute education dollars directly to schools; giving principals control over how it’s spent. But state education leaders say there are problems with the measure.

Congressman Jim Matheson Addresses Immigration, Economic Development with Utah Legislature

Brian Grimmett — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 21:12:23 +0000

Democratic Congressman Jim Matheson made a visit to the legislature Thursday where he shared a list of things that he believes will help economic development.

He says the first task in encouraging economic development is eliminating uncertainty.

“You can’t eliminate all uncertainty of course but, when public policy multiplies the amount of uncertainty that’s out there, for the private sector, for the public sector, that’s a burden,” he says.

KUER News Pod: Wednesday January 30, 2013

Brian Grimmett — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 19:00:21 +0000

Utah Democrats call for increased education funding, the Utah House passes a bill that makes legislator pay more transparent, and Governor Gary Herbert declares today Fred Korematsu day.

New Utah Senate President Calls For Fiscal Responsibility

Brian Grimmett — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 23:07:07 +0000

Newly elected Utah Senate President Wayne Neiderhauser opened the 2013 Legislative session by urging senators to be fiscally responsible.

In his opening remarks Senate President Wayne Neiderhauser warned his fellow senators to be careful not to believe they can create money out of thin air as they go about tackling some of Utah’s tough budget issues. He says he hopes to see legislators pass laws that work in the long term, especially when it comes to education funding.

KUER News Pod: Friday January 25, 2013

Brian Grimmett — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 18:51:57 +0000

Governor Gary Herbert addresses air quality, guns, and the allegations brought against Utah Attorney General John Swallow in his monthly news conference, Utahns say they are willing to pay more taxes for better education, and the Reverend Jesse Jackson speaks at the University of Utah.

KUER News Pod: Thursday January 17, 2013

Brian Grimmett — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 20:11:16 +0000

U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar steps down, the Utah Supreme Court puts a hold on the reunion of Terry Achane and his 2-year-old daughter, and Utah women continue to trail their male counterparts in college graduation rates.

KUER News Pod: Wednesday January 16, 2012

Brian Grimmett — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 17:39:55 +0000

Utah’s Attorney General calls for an investigation into the bribery allegations brought against him, KUER’s Bob Nelson goes shrimping on the Great Salt Lake, and Utah schools see the lowest participation in the free breakfast program in the nation.

Ad Firm Suggests Names for Dixie State College

Whittney Evans — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 00:08:35 +0000

The company Dixie State College enlisted to come up with a new name for the school unveiled a list of suggestions to an eager crowd last night in St. George. Sorenson Advertising spent three months doing interviews and assembling focus groups with students, faculty, alumni and members of the community. Dixie State College is positioning itself to gain university status this year.

iSTAR Program Gives Children with Autism a Leg Up

Brian Grimmett — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 20:52:34 +0000

The University of Utah iSTAR program is helping give children who have an Autism Spectrum Disorder a better quality life through the use of technology.

The iSTAR program uses a free 3D design application called SketchUp to help kids with a high functioning form of the Autism Spectrum Disorder develop better social and career skills. iSTAR project director Cheryl Wright says the results they’ve seen so far are encouraging.

Utah Schools Will Feel Impact of "Fiscal Cliff"

Whittney Evans — Fri, 28 Dec 2012 23:42:53 +0000

Utah schools have millions of dollars in federal funding at stake if congress fails to avert the so-called “fiscal cliff” by early next week. The “fiscal cliff” is a combination of automatic tax hikes and spending cuts that will go into effect at the first of the year if federal lawmakers and the president cannot come to an agreement on next year’s budget. But most schools in Utah would have some time to prepare for big cuts.

Congressman-elect Chris Stewart OK with Armed Teachers

Brian Grimmett — Fri, 28 Dec 2012 23:33:42 +0000

In response to almost 200 teachers participating in a free concealed carry course offered on Thursday, Republican Congressman-elect Christ Stewart says he’s for the idea, as long as the individual and school district are on board.

Stewart says when he gets to congress he’s going to do what he can to protect 2nd amendment rights. And while he doesn’t think all teachers should have to carry a gun, he says it’s not necessarily a bad idea.

Miss Utah Promotes STEM Education

Brian Grimmett — Thu, 27 Dec 2012 22:53:20 +0000

Kara Arnold, or as she is better known, Miss Utah, will head to Las Vegas next week to compete for a chance to become Miss America. But before she hits the bright lights of the Vegas Strip she spent the past year traveling across Utah to promote the importance of science education.

Number of Utah Children in Poverty Up to 141,000

Brian Grimmett — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 21:56:14 +0000

Child Poverty in Utah is on the rise according to the latest information released by the U.S. Census Bureau today.