Sponsor says curriculum choices at heart of proposed education bill

Some lawmakers think schools should get to choose whether to follow the state core curriculum aiming to expose junior high students to careers.

The House Education Committee on Monday forwarded HB189, sponsored by Rep. Jim Ferrin, R-Orem. The bill would let school districts and charter schools — representatives of which inspired the bill — decide whether to let kids take a core or computer technology class in lieu of TLC, or Technology, Life and Careers, as required in the state core curriculum.

The bill supports local control and parental choice, supporters said.

"My intent is not to bash the TLC class . . . (but that) is where my boys learned to make an oven mitt and bake cookies," Ferrin said. "Parents deserve better choices than I had. Children deserve better educational opportunities."

But some feared the bill could open the door to eroding other state standards and usurp the power of the State Board of Education.

"I'm concerned this could have a rippling effect," state associate superintendent Christine Kearl said, adding schools have flexibility in meeting standards. "Today, it's TLC; what would it be tomorrow, or next year?"