State Board of Education Hearing

Call to Action: Submit a comment for the USBE July 22 public hearing

Background: 

The Utah State Board of Education, as part of the process to ratify R277-328, will have a public hearing on July 22nd. The goal of this hearing is to give Utah citizens the opportunity to weigh in on the rule. They will be voting on August 5, 2021 whether to (1) accept the rule, (2) amend it, or (3) refer it back to the Standards and Assessment Committee for significant changes. Their vote will be based on feedback they receive during the public hearing and through written public comment.

Why This Matters:
The language in R277-328 as currently proposed will not make Utah schools more equal or more functional. Instead, it threatens to do the opposite. By passing a vague resolution that uses imprecise language and has no firm mechanism for enforcement or engagement, the Utah State Board of Education risks destabilizing local school communities. This imprecision could hamper education, and put parents and children in the position of reporting perceived infractions. It also places minority populations at greater risk. Utah schools deliver great outcomes with less funding because of a longstanding tradition of positive and supportive community involvement. We have built this system by trusting and supporting our educators, and appreciating the work they do on behalf of our children. This resolution does not respect the professionalism of our teachers, nor will it support the growth of collaborative and diverse educational communities. 

To Do:

Please voice your concern regarding the language as outlined in the rule; namely that we ask the Utah State Board of Education to clarify the language of the rule so that it will not be misconstrued as giving license to attack the credibility or livelihood of our educators. In addition, we ask the Utah State Board of Education to strike the language requiring that training materials be available for preview before the professional development occurs. Utah state educators are professionals, and this represents a significant intrusion into normal processes. It would likely have a chilling effect on all diversity training.

It is very important that the Board hear from those who support diversity training in the schools. We encourage all Utahns to do one or both of the following: 

1. Submit a request to make a public comment at the public hearing on July 22, 2021 at 4:00pm by emailing [email protected] no later than Sunday, July 18, 2021. 

2. Submit a written comment that will be part of the public record by emailing [email protected] no later than July 20, 2021. Please be aware that a written email comment will be part of the public record, including your email address. 

Sample Comment
Here is a sample email comment you can write. It will be most effective if you adapt it to your specific circumstances. 

Dear Utah State Board of Education Members, 

My name is ______ and I am a resident in ______ school district. I would like to share my feedback regarding R277-328. I support educators having the training and understanding to adapt professional development and curriculum to the needs of their students. I support diversity, educational equity, and inclusion efforts in educator training, curriculum standards, and opportunities for all of Utah’s students to receive high quality education. I support ensuring that all students find belonging in their schools, classrooms, and communities. I support educators and administrators having the freedom and protection to teach diversity, equity, and inclusion in their classrooms and schools. As someone who values educational equity and ethical government, I applaud your efforts on behalf of all Utah students, teachers, parents, and citizens to make Utah a place where diversity, equity, and inclusion are celebrated. I ask the Utah State Board of Education to explicitly state in the language of the rule so that it will not be misconstrued as giving  license for community members to attack the credibility or livelihood of our educators. In addition, we ask the Utah State Board of Education to strike the phrase “before or”, as outlined in R277-328-3(5) “The content of professional learning provided by an LEA shall be made freely available by the LEA to parents with a student in the LEA within a reasonable amount of time before or after the training is offered upon request”.  Thank you. 

Sincerely, 

___________

_________, UT

[List your city here]