On December 8, the Utah State Board of Education (USBE) Standards and Assessment Committee passed a motion concerning the ongoing educational equity debate.
Despite facing unanimous opposition during public comment, the motion to consider the repeal of 'R277-328 Educational Equity' moved forward by securing a 4-1 vote.
The repeal request comes from state board members Christina Boggess, Emily Green and Joseph Kerry.
The Utah Education Association (UEA) Government Relations Director, Dr. Sara Jones, spoke against the repeal, highlighting three critical concerns for educators across the state.
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Threat to Essential Professional Learning: The existing rule mandates school districts to provide essential professional learning on educational equity. The potential repeal puts educators at unnecessary risk during an ongoing debate about diversity, equity, and inclusion in education.
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Lack of Transparency in Curriculum Adoption: One of the critical safeguards provided by the rule is the requirement for districts to adopt specific curricula in open, public board meetings. This transparency shields educators from potential parental concerns as they implement the adopted district curriculum in the classroom.
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Preservation of Classroom Discussions: The existing rule explicitly emphasizes that there is no ban on discussing "events, ideas, attitudes, beliefs, or concepts" in the classroom. This provision ensures that classrooms remain spaces for rich discussions and continuous learning, preserving the integrity of education.
As the motion to repeal progresses, the UEA will closely monitor the deliberations. It will be discussed in January. The UEAs stand with our members, advocating for the importance of educational equity and defending the future of public education in Utah.
Members are welcome to send written comments to the USBE at [email protected].
