Did you know that as of mid-December 2023 the Utah State Legislature has already filed 177 education bills for the 2024 legislative session? And the session hasn’t even begun! The number will certainly climb to well over 200 education bills in the 2024 session.
In the ever-evolving landscape of education, one principle remains steadfast: local control is the cornerstone of educational excellence. Unlike legislators at the statehouse, local education leaders, teachers, and parents profoundly understand their students’ needs and must be empowered to respond to the needs and aspirations of their community. Utah schools need local control.
Here’s why:
Expert-led innovation: Smart education policy elevates and honors the informed expertise of the educators and education leaders who know our schools best. Local control fosters community-level innovations rather than top-down mandates crafted by non-educators.
Parent involvement: When decisions are made closer to home, those closest to our students–their parents–play a crucial role in influencing and partnering with schools to improve student outcomes.
Tailored solutions: Utah’s school-age population is more diverse than ever, and what works for one school may not work for another. Local control ensures that schools are nimble enough to serve the rich tapestry of their population.
Empowered communities: Education is the heartbeat of our society, and advocating for local control is an investment in our communities’ futures. It's about parents and educators collaborating to ensure that the students inside our schools thrive every day.
