Key Takeaways
- HB 399 would limit what public schools can teach about essential life skills, which UEA argues students need to succeed in school and as adults.
- The bill risks reversing Utah’s progress on student well-being, including efforts tied to teen mental health, suicide prevention, and unhealthy social media use.
- Life skills instruction works best when built with families and schools locally, and HB 399 would replace that partnership with restrictive statewide limits.
The Utah Education Association strongly opposes H.B. 399 Primary and Secondary Education Amendments because the bill would roll back Utah's progress by limiting public schools’ ability to teach essential life skills students need to succeed.
Public schools are places where students cultivate a lifelong love of learning, build meaningful relationships and learn how to be caring and responsible adults. From teaching how to read and write to teaching how we successfully navigate our complicated world, schools can and should be a nurturing place for students to prepare for their future.
Utah has made important progress in supporting student well-being and responding to serious challenges facing young people today, including addressing teen mental health, suicide prevention and unhealthy social media use.
Now is not the time to eliminate successful curriculum and support that help students build resilience, strengthen relationships, and thrive in school, the workplace, and their communities.
Teaching life skills empowers students to succeed in K-12 and beyond. These programs work best when they are designed in partnership with families and schools, not restricted by legislation that limits what students can learn.
Suggested Further Reading
