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SALT LAKE CITY — Members of the Utah Legislature gave overwhelming approval Thursday night to legislation that changes to the state's ongoing process to turn around low-performing schools.
SB234, sponsored by Sen. Ann Millner, R-Ogden, spells out the process for low-performing schools to develop turnaround plans and defines the roles of state, local and private partners.
The state's school turnaround program has been in place a year, but changes were needed to ensure its financial viability, Millner said during committee debate.
Under the legislation, the Utah State Board of Education will select facilitators who are experts in identifying causes of school failure, as well as specialists who would work with school communities to address their specific weaknesses.
School communities would select specialists they believe can best help them address their particular challenges.
The legislation directs the Utah State Board of Education to determine outcomes for schools that meet the statistical targets in their turnaround plans.
Under SB234, the turnaround process would span three years with an opportunity for a two-year extension to ensure sufficient opportunity for a school to emerge from low-performing status, Millner said.
— Marjorie Cortez
