According to the Utah Foundation: “elementary and secondary education is the largest of all the major state and local government spending categories.”
However, the Utah Foundation has provided additional statistics to more adequately show the discrepancy in education funding: “Utah’s tax burden is at its lowest level in 20 years, about $10 lower per $1,000 of personal income than in 1995, when education funding was at its peak. However, over this same period, public education funding has fallen by $12 per $1,000 of personal income.” Further, Utah Foundation analysis shows that the share of Utahns’ income that funds education has declined since the mid-1990s, from 7th in the nation to 37th.
Where Do We Go From Here?
It is apparent that simply putting more money into education is not the answer. To be successful, any investment must be tied to strategies that significantly improve student achievement, and increased accountability for results.“Prosperity Through Education – The Innovation, Accountability and Investment Plan for Utah’s Future” advocates for both and is critical to our efforts to produce and attract a highly educated, highly skilled workforce that wants to live, work, and thrive with their families in Utah.
Utah voters this fall will actually be able to part of the solution with Constitutional Amendment B and Equalization. If approved, the state will be allowed to implement best practices in investment management to continue building the State School Fund while still balancing our responsibilities to support current and future students.
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