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House approves $500,000 pilot for "advanced readers at risk" after heated debate
Summary
The Utah House approved a three-year, $500,000 pilot to support 'advanced readers at risk'—students above grade-level who become disengaged—after floor debate about priorities for limited education dollars. The bill passed 50-25 and will go to the Senate.
Representative Marta Dillery, sponsor of House Bill 216, told the House the bill would fund a three-year pilot to identify and support "advanced readers at risk," students who read above grade level but become disengaged without appropriate instruction. "We're asking for dollars 500,000," Dillery said, describing a program that would place model classrooms in districts, provide teacher development for roughly 450 educators and nine regional parent conferences, and support trade and technical-school access as well as college pathways.
Supporters argued the program targets students who often fall out of school because they are insufficiently challenged. Representative King, speaking in favor, described classroom experience where advanced readers received no extra challenge and lost interest by middle school. Representative Moss, who said she teaches AP English, also urged support and called the gap a longstanding problem.
Opponents said the appropriation was a poor use of limited education funds. Representative Barris cited survey feedback from teachers who said they would prioritize funds for students who are behind rather than those ahead. Representative Farren, who opposed the bill on the floor as he did in committee, walked the House through the bill's budget breakdown and called parts of the proposal "a lot of meetings" rather than direct classroom investment.
Sponsor Dillery said the proposal is grassroots-driven, prioritized by the State Board of Education and supported by parent and educator groups; she told members the program would be administered with district cooperation and that the $500,000 was a one-time request for a three-year rollout. In closing, the sponsor appealed to the House to give the students "the chance to raise to the level of their potential."
The House voted to cut off further debate and then passed House Bill 216 by a recorded vote of 50 yes to 25 no. The bill is referred to the Senate for further consideration.
What happens next: HB216 goes to the Senate, where it will be available for committee assignment and further consideration on whether the state will fund the pilot.
