Board members share NASB math takeaways, school-visit reports; meeting adjourns

Board members used the meeting's comment period to report on recent school visits and takeaways from the NASB conference, and the session adjourned after a voice vote.

Vice Chair Bollinger summarized presentations from the NASB conference and said high-performing systems "taught fewer concepts each year, but taught more deeply," noting that students are encouraged to "produce and discuss multiple strategies" and that data and data science are being infused across grades. "None of the highest achieving countries teaches algebra, geometry, algebra two, trigonometry separately, or precalculus at all," she said, and she described Texas's effort to align curriculum to state standards rather than the common core.

The remarks about national curriculum trends were followed by multiple members' reports on local visits. Member Earl described visiting schools in his area, praised front-line staff for calming and re-engaging students, and highlighted Utah's leadership in micro-credentials and teacher licensing, while advising caution about artificial intelligence in classrooms. "Utah's been leading in micro credentials," Earl said, adding that other states are taking notice.

Member Kelly called out the Utah High School Activities Association for expanding extracurriculars that connect students to school, listing recent additions including esports, lacrosse and girls wrestling and saying those options help increase student engagement.

Member Booth described a visit to Provost Elementary and a music class where a student with three fingers discovered an aptitude for the stand-up bass. Booth said the student "has just turned completely around" and that the music experience boosted his confidence and performance across subjects.

Vice Chair Wood summarized visits to Pacific Heritage Academy, Wasatch Peak Academy and Guadalupe School, pointing to different models (student-led tours, cultural emphases, wrap-around adult education) and described a Rose Park Elementary community breakfast attended by more than 100 parents and children.

Member Lear reported visits to Churchill Junior, Eastwood Elementary and Olympus High, praising administrators, teachers and a full robotics/pre-engineering class, and said the student leaders she met gave her confidence in the schools' future. "Every one of them told me about a teacher," Lear said of the students she met at Olympus.

The meeting concluded when Member Lear moved to adjourn. The chair called for a voice vote; members responded "Aye," no opposition was voiced, and the meeting was adjourned.

What happens next: there were no formal actions taken other than the adjournment. Staff or board members who mentioned circulating materials (a public-comment video) said it had been sent to members' inboxes but did not provide a timestamp.