Education (Curriculum)

passed · Utah · House Mar 7, 2026

HB 518: School Curriculum Amendments

HB 518 modifies Utah's social studies curriculum requirements for K-12 public schools. It mandates that American constitutional government and citizenship be taught as separate semester courses, and requires U.S. history to be taught as two distinct semester courses. The bill also prohibits students from repeating the same semester course for graduation, requires literacy coaches to integrate social studies content into literacy instruction, and mandates regular social studies instruction in elementary grades. Implementation must occur by July 1, 2031, and the bill repeals an adult education citizenship test.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates specific social studies course structures and integration, strengthening curriculum standards without restricting academic freedom or funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum K-12 Education

Track

signed · Utah · House Mar 18, 2026

HCR 13: Concurrent Resolution Regarding Technical Education

HCR 13 is a concurrent resolution (not a law) encouraging Utah schools to expand technical education programs focused on high-demand careers in nuclear technology, mining, and fiber optics. It urges the State Board of Education and local schools to create courses leading to industry certifications (like electric lineworker training) and collaborate with employers to align curriculum with workforce needs. The resolution does not appropriate funding or mandate changes but recommends specific actions to strengthen Utah’s workforce pipeline in key industries. It directly affects public schools, career and technical education programs, and industry partners through voluntary program development. The resolution passed the legislature in March 2026 and is now sent to the State Board of Education for consideration.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEncourages expansion of technical education programs for high-demand careers, enhancing curriculum alignment with workforce needs and student program access.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Curriculum

in committee · Utah · Senate Mar 7, 2026

SB 253: Library Materials Amendments

SB 253 requires school districts (LEAs) to create and adopt a public library collection policy developed under a teacher librarian or certified language arts teacher. The policy must comply with existing law (Section 53G-10-103) and be posted online for public access. This bill directly affects school libraries by mandating transparent, staff-guided collection standards. It does not restrict specific materials but sets procedural requirements for how libraries build their collections. The bill is currently pending review by the Senate Rules Committee.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates educator-developed library policies with transparency, strengthening professional involvement in school libraries without restricting content.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum K-12 Education Libraries

Track

in committee · Utah · House Mar 7, 2026

HB 317: Social Health in Public Education Curriculum

HB 317 requires Utah public schools to include "social health" instruction in the mandated health curriculum, focusing on relationship-building skills, refusal techniques for unwanted advances, and situational safety awareness. The bill mandates abstinence-focused education while prohibiting instruction on sexual stimulation, contraceptive methods (except basic factual information), or advocacy for premarital sex. Schools must follow state guidelines, notify parents before adopting materials, and provide this instruction at least twice between grades 7-12. It directly affects all Utah public K-12 schools and their health curriculum content.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates new social health curriculum content in K-12 health education, expanding required curriculum standards while restricting specific topics within that framework.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum K-12 Education

Track

failed · Utah · Senate Mar 7, 2026

SB 169: High School Graduation Amendments

SB 169 ensures all Utah students who meet graduation requirements can participate in commencement ceremonies, including those in online programs (unless safety concerns prevent it). It requires school districts to allow this participation and gives the State Board of Education oversight to monitor local graduation policies. The bill does not change graduation requirements or standards but clarifies that students in online programs must have equal ceremony access. This policy affects all high school students earning diplomas, particularly those in remote learning environments.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEnsures equal graduation ceremony access for online students, expanding educational access without changing requirements or standards.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum K-12 Education Testing & Assessment

Track

in committee · Utah · House Mar 7, 2026

HB 364: Certified Teacher Librarian Amendments

HB 364 requires Utah school districts and regional education service agencies to hire a full-time certified teacher librarian by July 1, 2031. The librarian must manage library collections, develop curriculum, help schools comply with state laws on library materials, and provide professional training to teachers on literacy and library skills. The State Board of Education will distribute funds (if appropriated by the legislature) to support these positions and set minimum qualifications. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, with no funds currently allocated in the bill.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires full-time certified teacher librarians for curriculum development, teacher training, and compliance, strengthening K-12 educational support with state-funded positions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum Libraries Teachers

Track

in committee · Utah · Senate Mar 7, 2026

SB 126: School Swimming and Lifeguarding Programs

SB 126 requires Utah public schools to include water safety instruction in physical education curriculum starting in the 2028-2029 school year. It mandates specific topics like safe water behaviors, pool safety, emergency response, and CPR training, while allowing exemptions for students with parental requests or IEPs that conflict with the instruction. Schools may offer swim lessons, lifeguard training, or swim instructor certification as physical education credits, either through school programs or partnerships with community facilities like recreation centers. The bill also establishes rules for verifying outside course completion toward credit requirements. This applies to all Utah public school students and takes effect July 1, 2026, with implementation beginning in 2028-2029.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates water safety curriculum in PE, enhancing student health education and safety standards within K-12 curriculum requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum

Track

in committee · Utah · Senate Mar 7, 2026

SB 168: School Attendance Amendments

SB 168 modifies Utah's high school graduation requirements to support students experiencing homelessness or involved in the child welfare system (defined as "eligible students"). It requires local schools to award diplomas based solely on state-established standards, prohibits additional local requirements that would delay graduation, and mandates acceptance of partial credits from various sources like mental health programs or prior schools. The bill also protects students during school transfers, ensures academic support plans and counseling, and restricts disciplinary removals for eligible students. These changes aim to remove barriers to graduation for vulnerable youth while requiring schools to track progress and provide targeted resources.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRemoves graduation barriers for homeless/child welfare students, mandates diploma issuance based on state standards, and accepts diverse credits to expand educational access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum K-12 Education Student Health

Track

signed · Utah · House Mar 18, 2026

HB 273: Classroom Technology Amendments

HB 273 requires Utah's State Board of Education to develop model policies for technology and artificial intelligence use in public schools, directly affecting all Utah public schools, teachers, and students. Key provisions include adding artificial intelligence standards to core computer science curriculum, establishing grade-level technology use requirements, creating a model for balanced technology integration, and allowing high schools to offer AI-focused "sandbox" courses. The bill also mandates reporting on implementation and exempts certain student groups from grade-level tech requirements, with no new state funding allocated.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAdds AI curriculum standards, mandates tech integration models, enables AI-focused courses - advancing educational technology in K-12.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates AI curriculum standards, grade-level tech requirements, and AI 'sandbox' courses in schools, directly advancing technology integration in education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum Artificial Intelligence

failed · Utah · Senate Mar 7, 2026

SB 119: School and Classroom Amendments

SB 119 requires Utah's State Board of Education to develop free, open educational resources (OER) for public schools in kindergarten through grade 8. These resources must align with Utah core standards, reflect state values, be accessible for students with disabilities, and avoid bias, including digital and print materials. The bill directs the State Board to create a centralized platform for these resources, consult with schools and parents during development, and report on progress to the legislature. It does not mandate school districts to adopt the OER, and the bill affects all Utah public schools serving K-8 students.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates free, accessible OER aligned with standards and inclusive for disabled students, expanding educational access and quality for K-8.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum K-12 Education

Track