By: Karla Phillips There is one key area where K-12 and higher education policy intersect—teacher preparation. Higher education needs college and career ready graduates while K-12 turns around and asks for better equipped teachers. I think it’s safe to say that there is broad agreement on the importance and impact a great teacher can make—a…
2013 Utah Highlights
During the past year, Utah passed H.B. 393, Competency-based Education Amendments, requiring a course-level funding formula that distributes funds to school districts and charter schools that establish competency-based education. H.B. 393 will allow a local school board or charter school governing board to award credit to a student who demonstrates competency and subject mastery; to waive or adapt traditional attendance requirements; adjust class sizes to maximize the value of course instructors or course mentors; enroll students from any geographic location within the state; and provide proctored online competency-based assessments. Additionally, Utah expanded eligibility standards and funding for the Statewide Online Education Program to allow private and home school students to earn high school graduation credit alongside other secondary students through the completion of publicly funded online courses conducted under auspices and with all protections characteristic of the Utah public education system.Current Strengths and Reform Opportunities
- Utah has opportunities for students in all grades to access online courses and services
- Utah requires credit to be based upon students mastery of skills and content rather than on seat-time and students are offered end-of-course testing six times during the year
- Utah should work to support the delivery of digital learning by expanding student access to labs or classroom computers at any time during the day