House advances changes to dual‑language immersion bridge program, debate centers on teacher credential rule

SALT LAKE CITY — The House passed second substitute Senate Bill 77 on Wednesday, approving technical and programmatic corrections to Utah’s dual language immersion and bridge programs.

Representative Perucci, the sponsor, positioned SB77 as a set of clarifications to a longstanding program that now serves tens of thousands of students across hundreds of schools. The bill updates teacher‑qualification language for the bridge program, clarifies teacher requirements for concurrent enrollment and adds proficiency assessments for grades 10 through 12.

Representative Thurston questioned a provision that requires high‑school concurrent enrollment language teachers to hold a master's degree, calling the practice "credential creep" and arguing it can shut out otherwise qualified teachers. "If the teacher's qualified, the teacher's qualified," Thurston said, urging future study on whether degree requirements unnecessarily restrict access to concurrent‑enrollment instruction.

Sponsor Representative Perucci and Representative Ruchi (summation) noted that concurrent enrollment in Utah has historically required a master's degree for parity with university instruction and that SB77 includes an exception process: the partnering institution and the LEA may approve an instructor without a master's if they determine the qualifications are adequate. Representative Karen Peterson spoke in support, citing program quality and accreditation concerns.

Second substitute SB77 passed the House 63–0. The bill will return to the Senate for the president’s signature or further action.