Christine Cooke Fairbanks
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Salt Lake Chamber learns about new education program benefiting military families
On Wednesday, June 5, Matt Bowman – founder of the innovative education program My Tech High – spoke to the Military Affairs Committee of the Salt Lake Chamber about military families that are finding success with the program’s flexibility as…
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Education in the 2019 Legislature: Lots done, lots left to do
Originally published in Deseret News. With the 2019 general legislative session completed, a policy dissection is in order. So, what was accomplished in Utah education policy? The answer: A good chunk of work. What work is still left to do?…
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Don’t ditch letter grades for schools – but provide more detail
Originally published in Utah Policy. Using a letter grade to communicate school performance is simple. That’s the power of it. Accountability to the public is only effective when information is clear and easy to understand. And grading schools A-F makes…
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Innovation in Education
When Sutherland Institute embarked on creating a publication about educational innovation, we knew we’d have to start by answering the question, “What do you mean by innovation?”
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Legislature can bring clarity – and individualized funding – to Utah education
Originally published in The Spectrum. Over the past several years, Utah education practitioners have received many legislative mandates that affect life at the school level — changes to literacy requirements, sex education, statewide assessments, and school accountability. Though the creation…
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Voting 101: What will Question 1 do for education funding?
Utahns are full steam ahead on voting. Many are filling out their ballots at home and trying to figure out the long list of propositions and amendments. There’s plenty to think through. Especially for Question 1 – the nonbinding gas…
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Get engaged in school board elections
Originally published by Utah Policy. The Utah State Board of Education (USBE) election is woefully underestimated. Too few know about the important work the board does, and even fewer know about the candidates running for the board. This creates a…
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Improving education for students with special needs
Originally published by Utah Policy. We have a responsibility to help all our students – no matter how unique their needs might be. Last year the U.S. Supreme Court held in Endrew F. v. Douglas County that federal law requires school districts…
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How to Give Military Kids a Flexible, High-Quality Education
Originally published by The Daily Signal. I’m a military brat, along with my five siblings. My dad was a pilot in the Air Force, and being part of a shared community while living on base made for a wonderful childhood. But…
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Can legislative deal for school funding lead to innovation in public ed?
Originally published by Utah Policy. In the final days of the 2018 session, Utah’s legislative leaders have agreed to raise property taxes (freezing the state property tax rate) and put a gas tax increase on the ballot to fund public schools, in…