Insights
Insights: analysis, research, and informed commentary from Sutherland experts. For elected officials and public policy professionals.
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New Supreme Court case at intersection of religion and parents’ rights in education
Despite state law, Maryland school district declined to give parents notice of teaching of sensitive sexuality-related topics and the ability to opt their children out. The parents sued.
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Do we need a one-stop shop for open enrollment data?
In several states, there are online platforms that make open enrollment data and navigation easy for parents. Utah should consider how this might look in our state.
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What will this legislative session hold for education policy?
While changes to higher education funding may take up a lot of airtime and gain media attention, plenty will also take place in the K-12 space as well.
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Career and technical education in 2025: growing support, consensus and participation
Utah’s interest in expanding career and technical education continues to grow, and CTE policy will likely be enhanced during this year’s legislative session.
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Private education in 2025: enrollment and key policies
The future of private school enrollment could be significantly impacted by the expansion of education choice programs.
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Home-based education in 2025: the numbers and top issues
Home-schooling rates are increasing across the country long after the pandemic, with an estimate of 5% of students being home-schooled.
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As Hamilton said, judges must be ‘faithful guardians of the Constitution’
Utah’s judicial selection and retention process focuses on basic competence but gives little attention to critical questions about judicial philosophy and dedication to the Constitution itself.
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Obscured guidance from federal agencies creates an accountability gap. What can the state do?
Sutherland recently testified to legislative panel about the need for transparency in guidance provided by federal agencies to state and local governments in Utah.
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Public schools in 2025: enrollment and key issues
Among the issues Utah education leaders have championed are expanding CTE, addressing absenteeism, and helping English language learners.
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How Utah can prohibit address discrimination in open enrollment policy
Public policy ought to ensure a student’s residential address is not a reason to deny an application to transfer to another school.