K-12 Education

“We can't post policemen at every rock art or rock writing site,” said Southern Utah University's Samantha Kirkley. So the key is helping kids develop a link to the past.

Con el fin de apoyar la confianza y la salud mental de los estudiantes inmigrantes, especialistas en apoyo entre compañeros de Latino Behavioral Health Services están en los pasillos y aulas de Ogden High y Mound Fort Junior High.

In order to support the confidence and mental health of immigrant students, peer support specialists from Latino Behavioral Health Services are in the halls and classroom of Ogden High and Mound Fort Junior High.

Lawmakers tackled issues like immigration, elections and labor unions during its 45-day regular session.

As the end of the session draws near, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, House Speaker Mike Schultz and Senate President Stuart Adams announced a wage increase of $278 million for teachers, support staff and district staff.

Dollars from the State Basic School Levy on Utahns’ property tax bills used to go directly to local districts. Lawmakers say the change is in the interest of state budget flexibility and giving schools more equitable funding in the future.

The latest Education Recovery Scorecard places Utah students more than half a grade level behind in reading in the spring of 2024 compared to achievement levels before the pandemic.

The proposal says public school students would receive mandatory instruction throughout their K-12 years on how to respond if they encounter a gun. Tennessee has a similar law on the books.

Last year, Utah school districts racked up nearly $2.7 million in school lunch debt. The issue has bipartisan attention as two bills look to expand lunch benefits in Utah’s public schools.

GOP leadership ditched a deal that would’ve allowed some collective bargaining because they didn’t get the positive response they wanted from unions and their members. Democrats and the state’s largest teachers union are asking Gov. Spencer Cox to veto the bill.

Senate Majority Leader Kirk Cullimore said he’s gotten mixed messages from public unions and their members on his proposal to allow some collective bargaining. Without a consensus, he said they’ll likely press ahead with a full ban.

“Lawmakers heard us, they heard you. And while this fight is not over, it's a testament to what's possible when public workers stand in solidarity,” Utah Education Association President Renée Pinkney said.