Guest opinion: Sound principles, data should guide how we prepare the next generation
by Derek Monson
A principle that unifies Utahns across ideologies is preparation of the next generation for a life of success and happiness. This is an ambition shared by philanthropists, business and community leaders, and elected officials – and with each legislative session we watch the policy debates and hope that the result will create lasting opportunities for our kids.
Disagreement about the best way to accomplish this is normal and healthy. However, there are time-tested principles rooted in sound data that should guide our approach, and such principles often transcend what can be accomplished in any single legislative session.
“America’s history,” wrote American Enterprise Institute scholar Ian Rowe last year, “is rife with stories of African Americans who embraced the institutions of family, religion, education, and perhaps most notably entrepreneurship to overcome dehumanizing discrimination and achieve enduring prosperity.”
Rowe’s experience and expertise has led him to advocate for family, religion, education and entrepreneurship as the path to economic mobility and life success for low-income children and families – even for the nation’s most disadvantaged communities.
Rowe’s successful policy and thought leadership is part of the reason that Sutherland Institute will be honoring Rowe with the George A. Sutherland Award next month. This award is given in honor of public service marked by character, respect for differing views, and devotion to our founding ideals. (Read More)
News Releases
Utah has the third-highest educational attainment in the nation
The latest data show that Utah’s post-high school attainment rate is 61.1%, well above the national average of 53.7%. We are the third highest in the country. (Read More)
Ibarra Foundation and Western Governors University team up to give the gift of education
With Valentine’s Day approaching, the Ibarra Foundation and Western Governors University (WGU) are teaming up to share the love with the ultimate gift—education. Beginning this year, the Ibarra Foundation Scholarship will be awarded to at least four WGU students to cover the cost of tuition and fees. The scholarships are made possible through the Ibarra Foundation’s donation of $100,000 over three years with the intent to support students of Mexican or Latino heritage who are pursuing higher education. (Read More)
Bestselling author and global business thought leader to keynote Utah Valley University Presidential Lecture
Utah Valley University (UVU) today announced that CEO of Disruption Advisors, host of the podcast “Disrupt Yourself,” and bestselling author Whitney Johnson will be the university’s spring Presidential Lecture Series speaker. Johnson’s lecture will be held on February 16 at 11:30 a.m. in the Keller Building (KB) Vallejo Auditorium on UVU’s Orem Campus. (Read More)
Utah Valley University partners with community to produce one-act ballet of “Hansel and Gretel”
Utah Valley University’s (UVU) theatre, dance, and art departments have teamed up with local community members and professionals to produce a one-act ballet of “Hansel and Gretel.” This interdisciplinary narrative ballet will premiere at The Noorda Center for the Performing Arts Scott and Karen Smith Theatre from Feb. 16-18 at 7:30 p.m., with a 45-minute family matinee on Feb. 18 at 2 p.m. (Read More)
AT&T and Human-I-T provide 325 laptops to Salt Lake Education Foundation, Promise South Salt Lake, Latinos in Action and Neighborhood House
As part of its nationwide commitment to help bridge the digital divide, AT&T is working with Human-I-T to provide local Salt Lake City organizations with a total of 325 laptops. The computers, courtesy of a donation from AT&T, will be given to local students and families in need to help them participate in online learning and the digital world.
NBA Legend and former Utah Jazz player, Boris Diaw, will be onsite to help distribute computers to recipient families. Local non-profits Latinos in Action, Promise South Salt Lake, Salt Lake Education Foundation and Neighborhood House will choose families to be recipients of the computers. (Read More)
Moore, Kilmer, Lankford reintroduce the bipartisan Retain Skilled Veterans Act to permanently repeal the “180-Day Rule”
Congressman Blake Moore (R-UT), Congressman Derek Kilmer (D-WA), and Senator James Lankford (R-OK) reintroduced the bipartisan Retain Skilled Veterans Act for the 118th Congress. This legislation would permanently remove the existing requirement for retired military members to submit a waiver to work as a civilian employee at the Department of Defense within 180 days of their retirement or separation for positions at the GS-13 level or below. In 2020, the House Armed Services Committee improved veteran hiring by temporarily removing the “180-Day Rule” under a 2-year authority only for the Organic Industrial Base (Military Depots). The Retain Skilled Veterans Act furthers this progress by permanently repealing the rule across the Department of Defense for most positions. (Read More)
Sen. Lee raises concerns regarding Pfizer’s practices
Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) led a letter addressed to the Secretary of Health and Human Services, Xavier Becerra, Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, Robert Califf, and the Acting Director of the National Institutes of Health, Dr. Lawrence Tabak, expressing grave concerns regarding a recent video in which Pfizer employee Dr. Jordon Triston Walker made alarming claims about the company’s research practices and interactions with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). (Read More)
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