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House approves 3‑year pilot to use technology in middle‑school science classes
Summary
The Utah House passed HB55, a voluntary pilot to place technology and real‑world science projects in 10 middle‑grade schools for three years, after amending the teacher‑participation requirement so small rural schools can apply. The bill passed the House 44–25 and moves to the Senate.
Representative Tammy Rowan introduced House Bill 55, a voluntary three‑year pilot to bring technology and real‑world research into seventh‑through‑ninth‑grade science classrooms, saying the goal is to ‘‘get kids really excited about science’’ and improve long‑term course-taking and test performance.
Rowan told the House the pilot would select 10 schools that apply and provide equipment, a 3–5 day intensive in‑service training for participating teachers, and money for district assessment and follow‑up. ‘‘We would send them through a 3 to 5 day very intensive training program to know how to use the technology,’’ Rowan said.
Lawmakers questioned how the pilot would align with the state core and testing. Representative King asked whether the approach could disadvantage students on core tests; Rowan said the program would continue to teach to the state criterion‑referenced core test and that the technology lessons would supplement, not replace, required instruction.
Members also raised concerns that the bill’s draft language—requiring ‘‘at least 3 but no more than 4’’ participating science teachers—could exclude small or rural schools that have only one or two science teachers. Representative Dennis Steiler said that requirement would ‘‘eliminate’’ many rural schools from applying. Representative Schuyler moved to amend the bill to change the minimum to one participating teacher; Rowan described the change as correcting an oversight and accepted the amendment.
Representatives pressed whether funding would pay for equipment; Rowan confirmed the appropriation would include equipment and training but said the sponsor did not have the equipment list on the floor. She said the sponsor and committee had support from the state office of education and at least one other school had expressed interest in applying.
After debate and amendments, the House voted on HB55; the chair announced the bill received 44 yes votes and 25 no votes and passes the House. The bill will be referred to the Senate for further action.
The next procedural step is Senate consideration; the House record shows the bill was advanced to second reading and placed on the third‑reading calendar earlier in the session.
