The Utah Education Association (UEA) has unveiled its 2026 legislative priorities to strengthen Utah's public education system. The UEA calls for investments in public schools, measures to improve student outcomes, and protections for the professional voice of Utah’s educators.
Education Funding Priorities
UEA is urging lawmakers to:
- Provide at least a 2 percent increase on the Weighted Pupil Unit (WPU) above the statutorily required inflation adjustment and enrollment growth.
- Expand the Educator Salary Adjustment program to include school-registered nurses.
- Ensure no additional funding is directed to unaccountable private religious school vouchers.
- Establish sustainable and growing long-term revenue sources to guarantee sufficient funding for K-12 public education.
Education Policy Priorities
In addition to funding, UEA’s policy focus includes:
- Clarifying statute to reinstate speech language pathologists as eligible for classroom supply funding.
- Supporting legislation to improve student attendance and reduce chronic absenteeism by identifying critical resources for educators, students, and families.
- Reducing special education caseloads and class sizes to ensure manageable workloads and adequate student support.
- Expanding resources for special education training, including paraeducators, licensed educators, and administrators.
- Enhancing public employees’ freedoms to participate in a labor union.
- Recognizing educators as trusted professionals in developing instructional materials aligned to Utah’s core standards and local district policies.
- Increasing resources for school safety and student well-being, including investments in physical facilities, school psychologists, social workers, and counselors.
- Partnering with families and education stakeholders to promote respect, understanding, acceptance, and sensitivity across Utah’s diverse communities, ensuring safe and equitable schools for every child.
Standing with Educators and Students
“These priorities reflect what our members know to be true: strong public schools are the foundation of strong communities,” said UEA President Renée Pinkney. “Utah educators are asking lawmakers to invest wisely in students, respect the voices of professionals in the classroom, and ensure that every child, regardless of their background, has access to a safe, supportive, and fully funded public school.”
The UEA will continue working with policymakers, parents, and education partners throughout the 2026 General Session, January 20 to March 6, to advance these priorities and advocate for Utah’s public students and educators.
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