Education reform bill passes, heads to House

Juniors failing the basic skills test would be helped, bad teachers would get the boot more easily and educators raising math scores at low-income schools would get bonuses under a bill that cleared the House Education Standing Committee Wednesday.

"These are three worthy things," said first substitute HB181 sponsor, House Majority Whip Steve Urquhart, R-St. George.

The bill gives a one-time $7.5 million in general funds for a voucher worth $500 to $1,500, depending on how low the Utah Basic Skills Competency Test score is, for tutoring help. The voucher could be used at a private center or public school program. Students still failing the test in the spring of their junior year are eligible.

The bill also tweaks termination laws, making it easier to fire "the absolute worst teachers in the profession," Urquhart said.

And it gives $12.5 million in one-time money, to be distributed for up to three years, to pilot district proposals to improve fourth- through sixth-grade math test scores. The proposals would have to include training and incentive bonuses — which must take up half the money budgeted — in their strategies.

State curriculum director Brett Moulding called the latter plan "a great opportunity for us to prove (math remediation) will work.

"I think the results . . . will make a difference for many, many children."