Best Schools Initiative - Bill Quick Sheet

H.J.R. 1 (substitute) - Green Schools Joint Resolution Rep. Mark Wheatley Encourages the Utah State Board of Education and Utah's school districts to consider ways to establish green schools in the state of Utah. Status - Third reading calendar in the House

H.J.R. 2 - Joint Resolution on World Class Curriculum Rep. Marie Poulson Urges Utah's public schools to provide their students with reading, writing, and math competency and with broad enrichment opportunities in other subjects. Status - Third reading calendar in the House

H.B. 65 - College and Career Counseling for High School Students Rep. Patrice Arent Creates a pilot program in which grants are awarded to implement college and career counseling. Status - Third reading calendar in the House

H.B. 115 - Peer Assistance and Review Pilot Program Rep. Carol Spackman Moss Creates the Peer Assistance and Review Pilot Program (PAR Program) to evaluate and support certain teachers. Status - Passed out of the House Education Committee

H.B. 160 - Teacher Retention and Termination Rep. Brian King Puts into place a more fair and streamlined process for identifying and either remediating or terminating teachers who fall below accepted performance standards. Status - Legislative Research and General Counsel

H.B. 166 - Assistance Program for At-Risk Students Rep. Brian Doughty Creates additional assistance for scholastic after-school programs such as tutoring. Status - Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel

H.B. 373 - Teacher Professional Days Rep. Joel Briscoe Provides every Utah teacher an additional day to prepare for school. Status - Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel

S.C.R 5 - Resolution Encouraging Parental Engagement Education Sen. Pat Jones Concurrent resolution which will encourage parents, communities, and neighborhoods to be engaged in Utahs schools. Status - Second reading calendar in the Senate

S.B. 31 - Class Size Reduction Sen. Karen Morgan Five year plan to limit the number of students in academic classes. The caps would be as follows:18 in kindergarten, 20 in first grade, 22 in second grade and 24 in third grade. Or, it would require teachers aides, known as paraprofessionals, in larger classes. Status - Introduced in the House and is in the Rules Committee

S.B. 48 - Mission of Public Education Sen. Pat Jones Expands mission statement of public education to include principles including citizen participation in government and strong moral values. Status - Second reading calendar in the Senate

S.B. 81 - Para-Educator Funding Sen. Karen Mayne Struggling schools would be able to hire additional paraprofessionals to assist teachers in the classroom and work individually with students who may not be receiving the attention they need. Status - Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel

S.B. 117 - Publication of Education Fund Revenue Reductions Sen. Ben McAdams Requires publication of bills that reduce education fund reserves. Status - Failed to pass out of the Senate Education Committee