HB 166 is an attempt to remove state mandates on local school districts, provides more flexibility and control for districts in the difficult economic situation we’re in right now, and lifts these mandates for two years. For instance, the bill removes mandates for certain exams, like the Utah Basic Skills Competency Test and other achievement tests for two years. Another mandate that has been removed deals with the busing qualifications for students. Elementary school students qualifications for busing will not change, they will remain at a 1.5 mile perimeter of the school. The bill states that for secondary students (Jr. and High schools) it will change from a 2 mile to 3 mile perimeter. That has brought a lot of attention and comment about the burden that will place on families and students, including concerns of safety of students walking to school to pollution concerns with additional cars on the road. The bill passed out of the House and is headed to the Senate. I spoke with the bill sponsor today who confirmed the language in the bill dealing with the busing will be amended in preparation for the presentation to the Senate and will maintain the current levels for Jr. High students, 2 miles, and only change High School students to the 3 miles. Again, this is for a two year period and the local school districts still have the flexibility to continue busing students within that 2-3 mile zone if they wish. I’d be interested to hear how folks feel about this bill and in general the idea that the state should give more control and flexibility to local school districts.
As an educator, I am very concerned about the discounted education students are continuing to receive in Utah. It is only because of dedicated parents and teachers that Utah students do so well. Now as education funding continues to decrease and class sizes increase, children who need more help will likely not get as much help as they need. Budget projections for next year at my school are very dim. I get to change grade levels and move to another classroom. This will not be exciting to say the least. Yes, I have a career for which I am grateful. But I will be teaching 5 more children next year in that new grade level at the very least.
What will attract new teachers to come replace me when I retire in two years? Will it be the low pay or the low retirement package? What quality of teacher will want to replace me? If you were young and mobile, would you go to a state with low class sizes, higher pay, and a good retirement package, or stay in Utah?
At Title One schools, we must follow strict federal guidelines. Many neighborhood schools fall under this label. When students do not pass the tests, the critical tests, the entire school is seen as failing. Teachers are held as accountable; not the students or the parents. It does not matter if students cannot speak much English or if they move often or if the home life is unstable or if their parents never read to them or never help them with homework. It is always the teachers who must spend many hours getting extra trainig and endure the harsh criticism from their district or even from the state. We have never seen one Legislator spend even one second at our school, yet the Legislators seem so happy to pronouce our salaries, our retirements, to call us worthy or unworthy, etc. Just for once, we would like to see a Legislator walk the talk and teach a class. I don’t mean you, Becky, but it gets tiring after over 20 years!
Poor schools have many issues but they have students who are bright who deserve bright futures. We cannot sell them down the little Jordan River into the dead of night just because we are having a bad year of recession. These students in every school are our very future. Don’t sell them short. Remember the old talk, “Stack ‘em deep. Teach ‘em deep!” Some things never seem to change. Mississippi must still be feeling so proud.