Education
Utah Democrats believe all children have the right to a quality public education and that providing that education is one of the primary responsibilities of state government. Utah Democrats are concerned that Utah has the lowest per pupil spending on public education in the nation. We believe it is past time to remedy this situation with meaningful long-range planning, including exploring funding mechanisms, increasing efficiencies where possible, supporting site-based decision making where parents, teachers, administrators and students working together can solve local problems, and allowing those groups to use all interest and dividends from the permanent school trust fund to improve student performance. We support rational education reform based on quality research which must be developed and implemented by educators in concert with parents, along with business, community, and higher education leaders. Utah Democrats further recognize that education does not end at the twelfth grade. Adequate resources for higher education are required if our colleges and universities are to fulfill their roles both in preparing young people to take their place in society and to act as catalysts and incubators for economic development. Utah Democrats believe providing financial resources for education is an investment in our future and not an economic liability.