There is no limit to what we would do for our children if we had unlimited resources. What parent could ever deny their children any available means or asset that would enhance their growth and learning? However, we do not have unlimited resources and when it comes to our schools, taxpayers do not have unlimited funds. Thus, thrift, prudence and prioritizations are continually required.
I am passionate about and very proud of our education system in Utah. My years on the Education Committee in the Utah State Legislature and my continuing efforts as a member of the State Commission on Civic and Character Education continue to fuel that passion. I strive to promote Civic and Character Education wherever and whenever possible because I know that informed and active citizenship is the heart of self government. That is why George Washington said to Congress at the end of his Presidency that there is no duty more pressing upon a Legislature than to support a plan for teaching the science of government to the rising generation who are the future guardians of the liberties of this Country.
Thomas Jefferson envisioned and sought to promote public education whereby there might be a school within three miles of every farm and a University within a day’s horseback ride for every family.
Today, we have such public education throughout America. Sadly, however, Civic and Character Education are too often relegated to isolated courses on the fringe of a curriculum that gives greater emphasis to math and science or some other market driven consideration. We also see frequent reports that Utah is “dead last” in money spent per pupil from our public tax dollars (state budget). That is extremely misleading.
Roughly one out of every four people in Utah are under the age of 18. Proportionately, we have larger families and more children than other states. When measured by per household income and percentage of total available state budget funding, Utah is among the highest in its funding commitment to public education. Still, we always want to do more. (“The biggest room in the world is the room for improvement”). Our teachers deserve increased pay and it is a challenge every year in the State Legislature to balance available funds to meet the continuous needs of our schools and educators.
But how are we doing? Is it really as bleak as we hear every single year from so many education officials? No. Republican leadership of our State has lead to Utah being named “Best Managed State” for its fiscal soundness. Until the national economy took a nose dive last year, the Legislature was able to increase public education funding the most ever in more than 20 years (approximately ½ billion dollars). Even that however, did not curb the annual chants of “dead last per pupil” (with no mention of the offsetting considerations of money spent per household or the percentage of the State’s total budget spent on education. Again, Utah is among the leaders when those statistics are applied).
Ultimately, the real question is how are our children doing? Walt Disney wisely said, “Our greatest natural resource is the minds of our children”. So true!
A recent news report confirms that Utah’s kids are ranked 3rd in the nation in overall well being. Utah is in the top 10 based on 7 of 10 measures applied in nationwide data. What a compliment to the homes and parents of Utah’s children.
A Legislative initiative that would have guaranteed that 65% of all public education funding actually makes it to the classroom and goes directly to the students and their teachers has been opposed by Education officials. There is certainly room for a healthy discussion about what is necessary administration overhead and how to most efficiently fund public education. Those details will be worked out in ongoing Legislative discussions from year to year. We will also continue to work to improve public education in all areas. However, it is reassuring to know that our children are happy and doing well and so many successfully go on to college. Utah is often ranked among the top states in terms of the most educated citizenry in the nation. At the same time, school districts such as The District of Columbia that spend the most per pupil have lower test scores and national education rankings than Utah. Money truly isn’t everything in public education and the overall wellbeing of Utah’s children confirms that principle.
Posted by: LaVar Christensen