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House funds $200,000 to maintain teacher certification consortium for sensory impairment
Summary
Lawmakers approved $200,000 to sustain a consortium that certifies teachers to work with sensory-impaired students, a program the sponsor said is essential after federal funding ended.
The House voted to appropriate $200,000 to sustain a consortium between the Utah State Office of Education and the State Board of Regents that certifies teachers who work with students with sensory impairments.
Sponsor explained that the consortium had been largely funded by federal grants that were discontinued; the appropriation is intended to replace that federal support so districts can continue to certify teachers without sending them out of state. Backers said the program serves both urban and rural areas via remote instruction (EdNet) and cooperating institutions and warned that losing certification capacity could expose districts to litigation under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Representative Norris Stevens and others urged support, noting an estimated 2,000 Utah children with sensory impairment would benefit from continued certification capacity. The House approved the bill, and the measure will move to the Senate for further consideration.
