Students who fail the high school basic skills test might be able to get a government voucher worth up to $2,000 to obtain help.
Sen. Howard Stephenson, R-Draper, Wednesday brought a proposed Utah Basic Skills Competency Test remediation voucher bill to the Education Interim Committee. The committee took no action on the bill, as some members wanted public input first.
But there was indication of support — sort of.
"I'm in favor of this approach," said Rep. Jim Ferrin, R-Orem. "However, I would like us to consider what we're talking about . . . If we're having a problem with kids passing . . . then maybe we ought to look at the nature of our core requirements in the first place."
All students, starting with this year's senior class, must pass all three sections of the Utah Basic Skills Competency Test — reading, writing and math — in order to receive a basic high school diploma. They have five chances to do so, beginning as sophomores. Those not passing could get an alternative diploma or certificate of completion.
The State Board of Education seeks $6.1 million to help strugglers.
Stephenson proposes the money come as a voucher to let parents pick the help their child needs, be it in the public school system or private sector.
The proposed bill would create a stipend program for students who have failed at least one section to get help in the public school system or with a private provider, as determined by the State Board of Education.
Stipends would range between $1,000 and $2,000, depending on how low the student scored on the exam. Students could receive up to three stipends, based on how many test sections they failed.
The money would be tied to the student passing the test and would come out of the general — not schools' — fund.
Eligible students would have to score below the midpoint of the partial mastery range. That's the middle of the second of four tiers of proficiency, with the third tier being passing. So, those who barely missed the mark wouldn't be eligible.
Proposed voucher amounts were based on estimated cost of remediation through private tutoring, Stephenson said, adding they could change. A fiscal note would be drafted based on the number of students needing help.
The State Board of Education has taken no position on the matter, but chairman Kim Burningham has concerns. He fears the bill could create "bureaucratic trappings" for the board. He also worried it could discourage tutors from taking the most struggling students, if the voucher is tied to test passage.
"We're strongly committed to getting help to those kids," Burningham said. "Do they take this alternate way? I don't know."
E-mail: jtcook@desnews.com