Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
WEST JORDAN — A group of middle schoolers got words of encouragement and a taste of the legislative process during a ceremonial bill signing with Gov. Gary Herbert on Wednesday.
State legislators joined the governor in emphasizing the importance of education funding and the students' role in Utah's future economic health.
"You are the leaders of tomorrow," Herbert said to the students at Joel P. Jensen Middle School. "It's just around the corner for you."
Herbert signed five bills showcasing education programs that passed the Legislature this year.
HB198 provides a one-time grant of $400,000 to enroll school counselors in a state-run certification program that connects K-12 schools with higher education and businesses. The grant is expected to enable 60 percent of Utah's school counselors — about 600 people — to enroll in the optional training.
"It's become technically hard to learn about all the things you need to do to get into college, and that's why we want to make sure that counselors who want to have that extra knowledge can have the ability to do that," said bill sponsor Rep. Patrice Arent, D-Millcreek.
SB117 will implement a pilot program to provide interventions for students who struggle with learning disabilities, such as dyslexia. The bill sets aside $375,000 to train teachers on how to recognize and intervene for students with disabilities that make reading especially difficult.
SB243 provides a one-time appropriation of $2 million to finish the development of UtahFutures, a state website designed to help students prepare for college and find a degree that will lead to a rewarding career.
You are the leaders of tomorrow. It's just around the corner for you.
–Gov. Gary Herbert
HB30 makes adjustments to a grant program to provide stipends and professional development for experienced math teachers so they can become "teacher leaders" and train other math teachers.
"(Math) adds up for your future," said bill sponsor Rep. Rebecca Edwards, R-North Salt Lake. "This bill allows extra training so some math teachers can learn to be coaches for other teachers."
HB363 modifies the funding model for schools through the School LAND Trust Program by allowing schools to receive more money from the interest on state trust lands. The bill is expected to increase funding for school community councils statewide by $6 million, according to bill sponsor Rep. Rich Cunningham, R-South Jordan.
Herbert said he was pleased with the $515 million in new money that the Legislature provided for schools this year. He also expressed confidence in state programs to help students gain the skills necessary to be competitive in the workforce after college.
"The underlying concern we have is to make sure we have skills necessary to compete in what is now a world marketplace," he told the students. "The competition is keen. You need to understand that. You're going to have to go out there and compete. And I hope that we provide you with opportunities, tools (and) learning experiences where you'll not only be able to compete, but you'll be able to compete and win."
