SB0244S02 | Ethnic Studies Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill requires ethnic studies in public schools.

Highlighted Provisions:

This bill:
▸ requires the State Board of Education to incorporate ethnic studies into the core standards for Utah public schools (core standards);
▸ requires a local education agency to:
• adopt ethnic studies instructional materials and curriculum that align with core standards; and
• integrate ethnic studies into regular school work for kindergarten through grade 12;
▸ creates the Ethnic Studies Commission (commission) to:
• study the contributions of ethnic minorities in Utah; and
• recommend to the state board how to incorporate ethnic studies into core standards;

Bill Details

Bill Number:

SB0244S02

Year:

2022

Status:

Governor Signed

Last Action:

Mar 24, 2022

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Pending

Utah PTA supports having standards that are more representative of the general population. This will benefit students in general and support minority students whose stories have been sometimes ignored or distorted to feel they are represented. However, Utah PTA recognizes that proposing these standards is under the purview of the Utah State Board of Education rather than the legislature.

Commission:

Community Engagement

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

Utah PTA Legislative Policy:

General Principles for Consideration of Proposed Legislation:

Equity in the form of equal justice, privileges, opportunities, and responsibilities in every phase of life for all children and youth, while recognizing that each child is unique with individual needs and talents.

National PTA and Utah PTA Position Statements:

National PTA Statement: Our commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

Acknowledge and appreciate individual ideas, knowledge and values that are different from
our own.
Seek out and learn from a diverse set of perspectives, skills and experiences, staying open to the unfamiliar and possibly uncomfortable.

National PTA Position Statement: CITIZENSHIP AND EQUALITY
Educational programs designed to increase understanding of the U.S. Constitution and civil rights, civil liberties, and appreciation for those individuals who fought for them;