• Meanwhile, the Utah Achievement Gap Coalition of university professors, educators and community activists plans a rally Monday at 6:30 p.m. at Riley Elementary, 1410 S. 800 West.

The rally aims to raise awareness and urge lawmakers to take seriously the achievement gaps between whites and minorities, which NCLB attempts to narrow.

"There are definite disparities between the performance of our students of color and our white students on standardized tests. . . . We also feel like it extends beyond the schools' walls," said Jim Martin of the coalition and Utah's representative to the National Education Association's board of directors.

"We're not saying No Child Left Behind is the best thing for Utah kids. But we're not sure U-PASS addresses all the things it needs to address."

The state's proposal to use U-PASS to meet NCLB requirements was criticized last week because the state wants to require bigger groups of minorities and other groups of kids before their scores are used to hold schools accountable for their achievement. Some fear too many kids would fly under the radar and essentially slip through the cracks in the educational system.

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