Education Funding

While slashed budgets, both federally and in-state, have cut other humanities programs in Utah, the Venture Course’s reliance on private funding means it’s still going strong.

Following budget cuts spurred by the Legislature’s higher ed reinvestment plan, Salt Lake Community College’s Community Writing Center has been put on the chopping block.

There was one dissenting vote on the recommendation from the Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee. The higher ed budget reinvestments were mandated by the Legislature.

Funds for public education in Utah vary by school district. That’s left some asking to increase property taxes to secure more revenue to keep skilled educators in their classrooms.

The Trump administration has already cut almost $30 million in research grants to the University of Utah. Another $110 million annually could be on the line.

Some of the grants being withheld are for English language learners and before- and after- school programs. The Trump administration said it needed to review them.

School psychologist Naomi Varuso said she’s observed a “severe increase in aggressive behavior — not just verbal aggression, but physical aggression.”

Los legisladores de Utah asignaron 65 millones de dólares para centros de educación técnica y profesional en escuelas K-12, después de visitar el Catalyst Center del Distrito Escolar de Davis. Líderes escolares dicen que este centro es diferente al modelo tradicional de formación vocacional.

The state’s largest universities, the University of Utah and Utah Valley University, plan to streamline their offerings by cutting low-enrollment programs and strengthening student “durable skills.”

Utah lawmakers allocated $65 million for K-12 career and technical education centers after visiting the Davis School District’s Catalyst Center. School leaders say it’s different from the traditional vocational training model.

While the restructuring prioritized Salt Lake Community College’s technical training and health sciences programs, leadership argues that the arts and humanities are still an important part of the school.

The High Quality School Readiness program pays for at-risk children to attend preschool, but it only serves 3% of Utah 4-year-olds.