|
Rette Speight
A bill passed Friday by a House committee would help students in math and science and give teachers the opportunity to work in the summer -- and make more money.
The bill, passed in the House of Representatives' Education Committee, would provide $11 million to schools for the option of continuing to teach math and science during the summer.
The program would provide struggling students a chance to get help and excelling students an extra opportunity to take classes, as well as a chance for all students to graduate early or with extra credits.
The program would not be mandatory for all schools, and teachers would have the choice to accept or decline the program. The teachers' salaries would be paid by the proposed $11 million, but the individual schools would foot the bill for other expenses, such as janitors.
"If you let the school pick up some of the cost, the school will either be determined to make the program work or just choose not to participate," said Rep. Ron Bigelow, R-West Valley. The program will be named "USTAR", (Utah Science Technology and Research) with relationship to the USTAR program used by universities.
The bill now moves to the House floor for debate.
HB 270
Sponsored by: Ron Bigelow, R-West Valley City
Utah Science Technology and Research Initiative Centers: This bill would provide funding for summer classes in math and science. |
