SALT LAKE CITY — Utah lawmakers met with members of the State Board of Education Thursday to highlight proposed legislation slated for the legislative session beginning later this month.

Possible laws in public education this year could change the way schools are funded, bring technology to classrooms and even require a high school student to pass a citizenship-type test before receiving a diploma. Many of the proposals address issues "critical to the future of the state education system," according to Sen. Aaron Osmond, R-South Jordan.

"I truly feel that this is a partnership between the State Board of Education and the Legislature, although I know that sometimes it does not feel like that," Osmond said. "I personally believe that that's the way it should be, that we should work together on legislation."

Shaping revenue

Osmond introduced three bills to the board that recognize funding and professional development needs in Utah schools. The first bill would address what he calls "the Robin Hood effect" of property tax equalization — taking from one school district to give to another.

"We do have a significant inequity when it comes to the revenue that's possible for many of our school districts to generate to meet their local funding needs," Osmond said. "When you think about the fact that 40 percent of our education funding comes from the local property tax, that is a significant challenge for some of these districts."

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The bill would adjust the minimum basic property tax rate over a five-year period to generate new state revenue when property values increase, which revenue would be used to equalize the local tax levies. Part of the additional funding would be earmarked to compensate for student enrollment growth and capital expansion.

Another bill would earmark 30 percent of growth in income tax revenue for school districts that fall furthest from meeting their financial needs.

"Those are going to be probably some of the most hotly debated bills when it comes to education funding," Osmond said. "Many in my party view this as a very non-conservative policy approach."

A third bill sponsored by Osmond asks for a $10 million appropriation for a loan-to-grant program for teachers to earn National Board Certification, an independent, nongovernmental endorsement that recognizes teachers for adhering to high standards of instruction.

Teachers would apply for the program and be given a loan to cover the cost of enrollment. If they successfully complete the program, the loan would become a grant. If they don't complete the certification within three years, they would have to pay back the loan over a five-year period.

Currently, only 244 teachers in Utah are nationally certified, Osmond said, but the bill would allow for 3,000 teachers in the state to earn the certification.

"In my perspective, it will reinvigorate teachers that we are willing to invest in them if they are willing to invest in themselves," Osmond said.

Academic citizenship

Rep. Steve Eliason, R-Sandy, highlighted two resolutions that he says would better prepare students for college and community citizenship.

One resolution recommends to the State School Board that high school students be required to take a math course in each year of high school. This, Eliason says, would reduce instances of students having to take remediation math courses when they enter college.

"Let's do you a favor and have you take the class while it's free and you have the time to do it rather than when you're out of high school and having to pay to take that class and not even earn college credit for it," Eliason said.

Richard Nelson, president and CEO of the Utah Technology Council, said the resolution would help satisfy a "desperate need for talent" among businesses hiring recent college graduates.

The other resolution is a civics education initiative that would require high school students to pass a 100-question immigration and naturalization test before they can graduate. Students would have to meet the same passing score as that for immigrants, which is 60 percent.

Eliason cited a recent Annenberg Public Policy poll that found that only 38 percent of Americans could name the three branches of government, as well as other shortcomings in civic engagement.

"We have a problem," he said.

The resolution, he said, would improve "dismal" voter turnouts among younger generations and their involvement in other civics issues.

Tech proficiency

Sen. Howard Stephenson, R-Draper, also introduced bills that seek to address student shortcomings in being able to use and understand technology.

A digital teaching and learning initiative would provide incentives and funding for schools to implement one-to-one student technology programs. The bill would provide base funding for each school district, as well as funding based on student enrollment.

"I believe this year we have a bill that will work," Stephenson said.

The senator said a large obstacle to student success in standardized testing and in using a personal device is keyboarding proficiency. He recommended that keyboard training be a part of the technology implementation initiative.

David Thomas, vice chairman of the State Board of Education, expressed his gratitude for Stephenson's efforts in pushing for a one-to-one technology program in Utah classrooms.

"Hopefully we can get it across the finish line this year," Thomas said.

Adding to efforts of improving student literacy in science, technology, engineering and math, Stephenson is also sponsoring bills that would provide computer coding training for students and improve compensation for science and computer teachers.

Stephenson said those initiatives would facilitate better STEM instruction in class and encourage continued learning outside of class.

"We are short of coders in America, and the more that students can understand coding and its importance in their lives, whether they become coders or not, they are able to access the world better," he said.

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