Utah Legislature Advances Comprehensive Reforms to Strengthen K-12 Education 

“Utah leaders have adopted strong, meaningful policies that will benefit students, families, educators and employers and continue to transform education.

“Students will benefit from earlier identification of learning needs, stronger instruction and better preparation for college, careers and life. Educators will gain high-quality instructional materials, aligned support and professional learning that make effective teaching possible in every classroom. Families will have clearer information about their child’s progress and options available to support their educational journey and success. And employers will gain a well-prepared future workforce.

“Together, lawmakers have set clear expectations for instruction and outcomes and are strengthening the systems that help students build essential skills.

“We are grateful to Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, Senate President Stuart Adams, House Speaker Mike Schultz, Sen. Ann Millner, Sen. Lincoln Fillmore, Rep. Karen Peterson, Rep. Joseph Elison and Rep. Ariel Defay for maintaining a student-centered focus and for setting a high bar for academic achievement and opportunity across the state.”

About the Legislation 

• Literacy Policy: 
  • HB 393 establishes a statewide dyslexia screening pilot program and expands educator training and resources to better identify and support students with reading challenges. 
  • SB 241 strengthens early literacy instruction by banning harmful three-cueing reading instruction and ensuring educators use evidence-based practices aligned to the science of reading. 
  • SB 241 requires individualized reading plans and targeted support for students who struggle with reading.
  • SB 241 expands literacy coaching and professional learning to support stronger instruction in classrooms. 
  • HB 312 directs the state to develop instructional materials aligned with Utah’s academic standards to support consistent, high-quality teaching. 
    
• College and Career Pathways:  
  • SB 152 strengthens partnerships between K-12 and higher education systems to share data and support and inform students as they prepare for college and careers. 
  • HB 352 creates partnerships between universities and technical colleges to simplify admissions, make credit transfer easier and help students stack credentials as they move toward a degree or career.
  • SB 216 establishes a performance-based funding framework to reward colleges and universities that deliver strong student outcomes and workforce alignment.  

• Teacher Recruitment and Retention: 
  • HB 146 creates a permanent teacher mentoring and leadership program to improve educator support and fund professional growth.

• Education Scholarship Accounts: 
  • HB 467 strengthens the state’s education scholarship account program by: 
    • Ensuring participating students are not charged unfair tuition or fees. 
    • Allowing students to participate in extracurricular activities. 
    • Ensuring all siblings in a household are eligible for scholarship funding. 
    • Allowing qualifying private schools to receive student funding without undergoing the preapproval process. 

• Charter School Facilities: 
  • SB 186 establishes a study group to examine charter school funding structures and administrative costs to ensure sustainable funding models. 

• Digital Policy: 
  • HB 218 requires high school students to complete a digital literacy course to strengthen technology and information skills.