Sunday Edition: Education in Utah


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SALT LAKE CITY — In this Sunday Edition: fees, funding and grades. We're heading back to school to take a closer look at the issues that are important to parents. Plus, see how a volunteer tutor program is boosting reading scores around the state and get a preview of the legislature's agenda for education.

Segment 1

Most parents plan on back to school expenses but some are experiencing sticker shock when they go to register their kids for jr high or high school. Deanie Wimmer investigated to figure out why school fees in Utah are so high.

KSL's Read Today tutoring program is raising the reading scores of students all over Utah. Each week, volunteer tutors work one-on-one with struggling readers in Utah schools.

Of the 3,689 students taking part, 3,164 are reading at grade level or where 0-percent started the year on grade level, 85-percent of those tutored finished there.

Success rates like that are one reason, Governor Herbert made a back-to-school pitch for more Utahns to become reading tutors at their neighborhood schools. Deanie Wimmer discussed the program's success with AmeriCorps. Director Gloria Skanchy.

Segment 2

Utah public schools will be receiving two grades this week. One grade will be based on a system developed by the State Office of Education as part of Utah's waiver from the requirements of No Child left Behind. The other grading system was designed by lawmakers. The grades are expected to stir controversy. Deanie Wimmer discussed that with Deseret News education reporter Ben Wood. They also talked about the education issues the legislature is expected to tackle next year.

Segment 3

A 2012 study released by the University of Utah Education Policy Center found that 13.5 percent of Utah students are chronically absent, missing at least 10 percent of the school year.

Deanie discussed the new "Make Every Day Count Campaign" with Tracy Gruber from Voices for Utah Children.

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Richard Piatt

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