Whether you are a parent, teacher, student or administrator, a new school year means embracing change and new opportunities. As each of you begins considering lesson plans and homework assignments, I want to make you aware of a way you can help improve the education system at your school.
During the 2022 General Session, I sponsored S.B. 191: Regulatory Sandbox in Education, which went into effect on July 1 of this year. S.B. 191 created a regulatory sandbox for Utah’s education system. A regulatory sandbox is a space where innovative programs can be implemented without traditional regulations. These pilot programs are implemented for a short period of time and are watched closely by regulators to determine their effectiveness. The education regulatory sandbox created by S.B. 191 allows individuals to present pilot programs to local school boards to find innovative ways for improving Utah’s education system.
As an industry known for its number of regulatory burdens, the education system frequently lacks the necessary flexibility for innovation. Teachers and parents are prevented from improving the education system because regulations encourage maintaining the status quo. S.B. 191 allows Utah schools to experiment with innovative programs that they believe will help their students learn more effectively. Through experimentation, schools will be able to find systems that work better for their students.
With the understanding that innovative ideas can come from anywhere, we want those closest to the education system to look for ways to improve the system. Parents, teachers, administrators and students often see ways to improve the system but face strict regulations that prevent the implementation of their suggestions. With S.B. 191, if you have an idea of how the education system can be improved, it can be presented to your local school board. If certain regulations prevent the idea from being implemented, the school board can work with the Utah State Board of Education to waive USBE regulations and implement the proposed program.
It is my hope that a regulatory sandbox for education will encourage schools to innovate beyond the status quo. Innovation thrives when there is space for experimentation. With the regulatory sandbox, schools can get creative and adjust their education programs as they see fit to produce better student outcomes.
I also hope the regulatory sandbox will provide policymakers with useful feedback on education regulations in the future. Even if a pilot program is rejected by a local school board, the suggested program will help policymakers understand where schools feel restricted in their development. Through the regulatory sandbox, we can better understand what future education regulations can encourage growth.
As you return to your school routines, watch for ways to improve the education system at your school. Present your ideas to your local school board, and utilize this new opportunity to improve your school’s education system. Through your work, we can make Utah’s education system even better than it is now. I look forward to seeing what you suggest and am grateful for your work.
