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(Salt Lake City-AP) -- Utah educators are concerned about an education reform bill that would completely overhaul the state's public school system.
School board member Tim Beagley says the bill's business model lacks compassion.
Utah Education Association President Pat Rusk says she's disappointed the bill was drafted with ample input from business leaders and little from educators and the public, and called the bill more political than educational.
Critics question the bill's disregard of core subjects required under state and federal standards.
The bill also fails to address the question of special education and students with special needs.
The bill sponsored by Panguitch Republican Senator Thomas Hatch encourages the state Board of Education to look for ways to emphasize core curriculum over electives. It also eases licensing standards for teachers, principals and superintendents.
(Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
