In the word of public education, it is the age of "accountability," and teachers in Utah are grappling with just what that means.

A special educations conference today dealt with drastic changes happening in schools in other states, and some proposed in Utah -- all designed to make schools, and educators. more accountable.

In Florida, schools actually get a letter grade for how well they're doing. An F two years in a row, and the state yanks its funding.

In Texas, they've focused on helping minorities and low income students so every school meets standards no matter their population.

In Kentucky, the state picks out high-skilled teachers, puts them in struggling schools and pays them extra if they get results.

These are the sorts of tough choices on the table before Utah educators.

JULIE O'BRIAN/EDUCATION COMMISSION OF THE STATES: "THIS IS VERY, VERY DIFFICULT, IT'S MUCH EASIER TO LET THINGS THE WAY THEY ARE. CHANGE IS HARD, THAT DOESN'T MEAN IT'S NOT GOOD."

NADINE WIMMER/EYEWITNESS NEWS: "SO HOW WILL THESE CHANGES SHOW UP IN SCHOOL HALLWAYS LIKE THIS ONE? THAT REMAINS TO BE SEEN, BUT SAFE TO SAY, CHANGES ARE DEFINITELY COMING."

And organizers of this conference say regardless how tough, it's time to find new ways to get results, and ways to gauge whether education money is really being spent in ways that help students learn.

SEN. HOWARD STEPHENSON/ACCOUNTABILITY TASK FORCE: "WE'RE TRYING TO EVALUATE WHAT'S WORKING IN OTHER STATES IN SETTING STANDARDS FOR EDUCATION AND HOLDING SCHOOLS ACCOUNTABLE."

Should teacher pay be tied to performance? What should happen to schools that don't meet standards? Legislators want to hear from you.

You can get a copy of the survey they're passing out at this conference by CLICKING HERE