HB0349 | English as a Second Language Amendments

Description
General Description: 

This bill creates criteria for software programs for English learner students.

Highlighted Provisions: 

This bill requires the State Board of Education to allocate appropriations to a local education agency (LEA) in proportion to the LEA's statewide share of English learner students; and requires an LEA to use appropriations allocated to the LEA to pay for software
licenses for a software program that meets certain criteria.

Bill Details
Year: 
2021
Status: 
House/ filed
Last Action: 
Mar 05, 2021
Sponsor
Representative
Republican - District 59
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Unnecessary
Impact on Children: 

This bill appropriates money to LEAs to assist in buying software to use for children who are English Language Learners.

Commission: 
Education
Utah PTA Public Policy Program
National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions: 

Resolved, That Utah PTA and its constituent associations encourage the State Legislature to prioritize education funding in the areas of teacher capacity, school leadership, family and student engagement, student-centered learning climate, and instruction and curriculum alignment.
Resolved, That Utah PTA and its constituent associations educate parents and community members to support practices which enhance teacher capacity, school leadership, family and student engagement, student-centered learning climates, and instruction and curriculum alignment;

Utah PTA Legislative Priorities: 

Support education legislation, including a constitutional change, that the Legislature shall provide for the establishment and maintenance of a public education system, which shall be open to all children of the state; and that sustains/establishes revenue sources that support the system of public education including:
a. Automatic increases for enrollment growth in the base budget;
b. Automatic increases in the WPU based on inflation;
c. Establishes and funds a “public education rainy day fund” to support the Uniform School Fund in times of economic downturns experienced in the Nation or State.

National PTA and Utah PTA Position Statements: 

From National PTA Position Statement "Education Emphasis"--National PTA especially recognizes the special needs of underserved populations including children with disabilities, limited English proficient children, homeless children, migrant children, gifted and talented children, and undocumented children in our nation’s schools.