SB0234S01 | Statewide Online Education Program Amendments

Description
General Description: 

This bill amends provisions related to the Statewide Online Education Program.

Highlighted Provisions: 

This bill allows an online course provider through the Statewide Online Education Program to offer online courses for middle school credit.

Bill Details
Year: 
2021
Status: 
Governor Signed
Last Action: 
Mar 17, 2021
Sponsor
Senator
Republican - District 19
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Oppose w/ Comment

Utah PTA encourages the legislature to adequately fund critical education needs. Although we encourage policies that will increase equal privileges, opportunities, and access to internet for all children, we are concerned that this bill is in reaction to the current public health emergency and has not been adequately studied or funded. Utah PTA encourages USBE to continue their study of the Statewide Online Education Program to determine how it will best achieve the USBE mission and goals before any changes are implemented.

Impact on Children: 

This bill would expand opportunities for student in middle school to take classes through the Statewide Online Education Program.

Commission: 
Education
Utah PTA Public Policy Program
National PTA and Utah PTA Position Statements: 

FAM 2021-1 DIGITAL EQUITY AND ACCESS Position Statement
That Utah PTA and its constituent associations encourage initiatives and strategies for digital equity in the form of equal privileges, opportunities, and access to internet for all children and youth in Utah;

That Utah PTA and its constituent association encourages policies that attempt to address all six components of connection necessary for the equal provision of digital privileges, opportunities, and responsibilities for children, namely: robust infrastructure, affordable subscriptions, accessible devices, digital literacy training, competent technical support, and linguistically and age-appropriate user-friendly content.