Utah's public constantly clamors for accountability in education, yet this state is something like 47th or 48th in education funding. The excuse is always that this is a poor state with too many children to fund at a higher rate.

Yet despite this poor funding level and the resulting over-crowded, undersupplied and poorly equipped classrooms, we teachers are expected miraculously to keep Utah in the top 10 when it comes to test scores, graduation rates and percentages of students going on to college, which we in fact do year after year out of professionalism, use of personal funds and unpaid personal time, dedication and sheer will. The closest we come to a bonus for our efforts is the occasional "Thank you" note with a small candy bar attached from the PTA in our mailboxes.

We teachers are not unsympathetic to the situation in this state (though the reverse seems not to be true), so here is a realist suggestion: Since Utah is only willing to fund at the 47th or 48th level in the nation, yet still wants accountability, the only fair thing is for Utah to accept test scores, graduation rates and students prepared for college at the 47th or 48th level in the nation also!

It is completely unethical, unfair and immoral for the people of this state to demand or receive something for which they are not willing to pay! They have become addicted to everything from federal handouts to the expected good will of teachers to achieve a higher standard than they are willing to fund.

If the state is only willing to fund at the 47th or 48th level, then teachers should only be accountable to raise students to the 47th or 48th level, right? What's fair is fair. Utah, either put your money where your demands are, or accept a basement-bottom education for your children. True accountability must run both ways.

R. Scott Ormond

American Fork

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