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This is a critical time for the future of public education in Utah.
It demands the attention, understanding and input of all Utahns who are concerned about the type of education system Utah will have in coming years.
Consider all that is taking place.
Because of legislation passed last session, a Legislative Task Force is meeting monthly to oversee the dramatic changes initiated by the legislature.
The State Board of Education this month is in the midst of conducting some two-dozen public meetings statewide to explain its innovative proposal for a competency-based system.
Beginning September 8 the Governor's office will sponsor a series of five so-called summit meetings throughout Utah to discuss and evaluate implementation of the changes.
By year's end legislation is to be drafted for overhauling Utah's public schools. It will include proposals – and this will be the biggest challenge - for funding all of it.
KSL supports the process. We encourage extensive public and professional involvement. The concept of emphasizing what students learn rather than merely what classes they attend is a good one. In the end, though, it will boil down to money. All Utahns, including lawmakers, need to be realistic about what it will take to pick up the tab.
