Lawmakers Demand Education Accountability

Jan. 12, 2001-- Utah's annual legislative session doesn't start until next week. But lawmakers are already asking for accountability from educators.

The joint education committee is asking hard questions of both the State Office of Education and the Salt Lake City School District.

Government Specialist Richard Piatt tells us about it.

Lawmakers are concerned about a couple things today.

There are concerns that money allocated for textbooks doesn't go to textbooks. The other concern is that not every student took the SAT test in Salt Lake City last year.

So lawmakers are asking hard questions, especially since they are poised to give education the most funding ever.

Today, Salt Lake City's school superintendent was on the defensive, explaining why 26 percent of the district's students didn't take the SAT when they should have.

Superinetendent Darlene Robles explained why that happened, saying the intentions were to help students in the long run.

Lawmakers understand the mistake, but want to make sure procedures are properly followed.

Sen. Steve Poulton/Education Committee Member: THAT'S WHAT THIS IS ALL ABOUT, MAKING SURE THAT INFORMATION COMES TO US, COMES TO US MEANINGFULLY, AND COMES TO US IN A TIMELY MANNER.

Joan Reynolds/Assessment Supervisor, SLC School Dist.: WE WANT TO BE ACCOUNTABLE FOR ALL KIDS, AND OUR DISTRICT FEELS WE ARE ACCOUNTABLE.

Lawmakers say they're acting on behalf of both students and taxpayers when they call hearings about accountability.

In his speech last year, Governor Leavitt said he will fund more but expect more from schools.

That goes for this year, too, when lawmakers are expected to fund education to the tune of $2.4 billion.

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