May 2, 2005
For further information: Representative Margaret Dayton 801/221-0623

Representative Dayton's Bill Signed by Utah's Governor

I am pleased to be here at the Amelia Earhart Elementary School today for the culmination of the legislation created by the Utah Legislature in connection with the federal No Child Left Behind Act.

All of us want the best education possible for Utah students. Utah's House Bill 1001 that our governor has just signed into law restates the alignment of Utah's education with the United States Constitution and the Utah State Constitution.

HB1001 answers several basic questions:
          1. Does the Constitution matter and is it, indeed, the basis of our government?
          The answers are "Yes," and "Yes."

and

          2. Who should be responsible for the education of Utah's children?
          The answer is "Utah's parents, Utah citizens and Utah's state government."

We reaffirm our support of Constitutional principles of federalism and states rights. It is the Constitution that gives the responsibility for educating Utah children to Utah's parents and citizens.

Education seems to be the last bastion of state's rights. Thus, we support the parents of Utah's children, working within the school systems in our state, with the responsibility of decision-making for educational matters in Utah.

Utah is a national leader in dealing with the challenges of the well-intended but frustrating NCLB legislation. Leadership is a team effort--and we acknowledge the many players in the effort to pass HB1001. The legislature has studied and debated this issue for over two years, and has overwhelmingly supported the end result, which is HB1001.

To the legislature, the educators, the State Board of Education, the UEA and other education organizations, the PTA's and PTO's, the Eagle Forum, the governor's office, and many other supportive groups, we extend appreciation.

I thank Jordan's School Superintendent, Dr. Barry Newbold, who has made available detailed information on the cost of implementing NCLB in his district. His information is most telling.

And I cannot adequately thank Dr. Patti Harrington, Utah State School Superintendent, who sat with me two years ago when I first presented a bill before an education committee to express the concerns that Utah faced under NCLB. She provided valued assistance at that meeting, and has supported my efforts and the legislature every step of the way since that time.

I share with many the significance of this day and the culmination of Utah's support of primacy for education issues in our state. Thanks for helping support Utah's primacy for education issues in our state.

Summary points:

• Utah's House Bill 1001, sponsored by Representative Margaret Dayton of Orem, directs school officials to:
  
  
• Prioritize resources by placing first priority on meeting Utah's goals, objectives, program needs, and accountability systems as they relate to federal programs.
  
  
• Place second priority on implementing federal goals, objectives, program needs, and accountability systems that do not direct and simultaneously advance state goals, objectives, program needs, and accountability systems.
  
  
• Interpret the provisions of federal programs in the best interest of students in Utah.
  
  
• Maximize local control and flexibility.
  
  
• Minimize additional state resources that are diverted to implement federal programs beyond the federal monies that are provided to fund the programs.