Utah

Lots is happening in what many might consider a small state. Positive developments include many choices for parents, access to great data, and a top performance on elements of digital learning.

The special needs voucher is available to disabled students ages five through 21. Participation is limited by the amount of money appropriated each year by the state, currently at $3.75 million, with applications subject to a random lottery. The state permits parents some choices among traditional public schools (often called open enrollment or public school choice), which permits students to attend any public school in the state if there is room.

SOURCE: The Friedman Foundation for Educational Choice

Utah’s charter school law is considered strong because it provides equitable funding to charter schools, facilities funding, and a strong authorizing system that includes capable independent bodies such as universities and the semi-independent state charter board.

SOURCE: The Essential Guide to Charter School Law 2013 National Ranking and Scorecard

Utah’s Statewide Online Education Program allows funding to follow the student, expands access to online learning and allows multiple providers to be authorized to offer online courses and is the nation’s leader in online learning according to Digital Learning Now.

SOURCE: Digital Learning Now!

Objective evidence of student learning is not the preponderant criterion of the state’s annually mandated teacher evaluations. The percentage for student growth in the evaluation is not clearly defined, but these evaluations must be implemented by 2014. Tenure decisions nor license advancement and renewal are based on effectiveness. Eligibility for dismissal is not a consequence of multiple unsatisfactory evaluations in Utah, and ineffective classroom performance is not a ground for dismissal.

By 2015, salary schedules must be based on evaluation and not on seniority, and pay increases cannot be given to teachers who receive poor evaluations.

SOURCE: National Council on Teacher Quality

Utah has a very parent-friendly website that provides easy to understand school report cards as well as information on the Carson Smith Special Needs Scholarship and charter schools. The 40 local school boards in Utah are elected during the November general election.