Utah politicians have fought for years against No Child Left Behind. And the end of the much-criticized law may be in sight as the Department of Education relaxes the rules. What does this mean for Utah public schools and education reform? We talked with State Superintendent Dr. Larry Shumway.
In a few weeks, public school students across the state will be heading back to school. But with the first day of classes beginning in the heat of summer, some of the state’s largest school districts have several schools without air conditioning. KCPW’s Jessica Gail has the story.
Educators in Utah are breathing a sigh of relief this week after learning the Obama administration announced states will not have to increase requirements for No Child Left Behind for at least a year. KCPW’s Jessica Gail spoke with education officials about what the announcement could mean for the future of the law.
As the cost of college tuition continues to rise, the federal government is cutting some funding to help students as a as part of the debt deal reached earlier this week. As KCPW’s Jessica Gail explains, graduate students should expect big changes.
The Utah Department of Workforce Services has received funds from the U.S. Labor Department to help eligible workers afford job training for in-demand occupations in Utah, Summit, Wasatch and Juab Counties. Michelle Viertel, DWS operational program specialist, says it can provide up to $4,000 in supplemental money for up to 24 months of a job-training program or college degree.
The Salt Lake City School Board will hold a public hearing tomorrow on a proposed $1.7-million property tax hike. School District Business Administrator Janet Roberts explains $500,000 of that increase is a transportation levy.
Dozens of teachers rallied outside the Salt Lake City Main Library Friday, calling on state lawmakers to show them more respect and stop what they believe are attacks on public education. Third-grade teacher Heidi Jensen says they gathered in response to what happened in Ogden recently, where teachers were presented a contract to sign without any negotiations. Jensen says lawmakers want to make that a state policy even though they’re not experts on education.
If you think you need a teaching degree to begin working in a Utah classroom, the State Office of Education says think again. Over the next few weeks, the staff there will be going over applications of hopeful teachers who hold a bachelor’s degree or higher and are hoping to make the transition into teaching. KCPW’s Jessica Gail reports on how the program works and talks to one teacher who’s benefitted from it.
Republican State Senator Howard Stephenson is having a legislative committee look at eliminating collective bargaining for public employees like teachers, following what was passed in Wisconsin and considered in other states. Stephenson says he just wants to learn the facts and study whether it’s the right thing to do.
Utah colleges and universities will be busier than ever this fall. The Utah System of Higher Education says enrollment numbers across the state are reaching record highs, and as KCPW’s Jessica Gail reports, some institutions are warning students to register early because classes are filling up fast.
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