Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Education Arts topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
House approves 12-school arts pilot, HB325, after proponents cite classroom benefits
Summary
House passed HB325 to create a 12-school arts-in-education pilot aimed at improving elementary student outcomes; supporters highlighted behavior and academic gains and the bill passed unanimously, 73-0.
The Utah House approved House Bill 325 on Feb. 23, establishing a 12-school pilot program to study whether sequential arts programming in elementary schools improves student achievement.
Representative Olsen, who presented the bill, said participating schools would be voluntary, represent diverse economic and cultural groupings, and report evaluation results to the State Board of Education and the Legislature by Nov. 30 each year. The measure encourages participating schools to supplement state funds with private-sector matching dollars and partnerships.
Several members spoke in support, citing classroom experience and research linking arts instruction to improved student behavior and academic performance. Representative Gordon Snow, among others, emphasized that the pilot would be funded with private matching in its first year and that the evaluation component could be provided in-kind.
The House voted 73-0 to pass HB325 and will return the measure to the Senate for consideration.
