Utah Legislature: Bill allowing universities to charter K-12 schools passes committee

SALT LAKE CITY — A Senate committee unanimously approved a bill Tuesday that would allow universities and colleges to charter K-12 schools.

Under current legislation, school districts and the State Charter School Board can approve charter schools. SB55 suggests institutions of higher education as a third authorizer.

"I think it's a great idea," said Sen. Brent H. Goodfellow, D-West Valley City. "To some extent, we're already doing it."

Although no Utah charter schools are operated by universities, several have set up partnerships. Edith Bowen Laboratory School is staffed by Utah State University education students. At Utah County Academy of Sciences, students earn two years of college credit through Utah Valley University while working on their high school diplomas.

University-chartered schools, like all charter schools, would be funded with public education dollars.

— Elizabeth Stuart