Utah


U.S.
Rank
#9 B
Overall PPI Score: 82%

Utah, buzzing at 9th with a B-, thrives on innovation. The Beehive State’s expanding charter and choice programs offer families a hive of flexible, forward-thinking options.

Charter Schools

Score
82%
Grade: B
Rank: #9

While enrollment growth and funding is based on annual appropriations each year, the environment for chartering in the Beehive state has improved dramatically with the introduction of new university authorizers and innovative solutions providing a bevy of...

Transformational Learning

Score
80%
Grade: B
Rank: #8

Utah allows work-based learning and credits towards graduation, yet does not allow students to graduate with a CTE diploma. Alternatively, students can graduate through demonstration of competency-based learning, with the state providing a portrait of a...

Leadership

Recently re-elected Governor Cox had a solid previous term where he passed the Utah Fits All Scholarship Program, an ESA  providing $8,000 to families for the school of their choice. He also campaigned on expanding apprenticeships and workforce programs, as...

Choice Programs (Scholarships, Vouchers, Tax Credits, etc.)

Score
82%
Grade: B
Rank: #9

Kudos to Utah for the creation in 2023 of a new Education Savings Account Program which will grow over time and when combined with other existing programs combined offers a wide array of choices to many parents the state to fund and tailor their students'...

DID YOU KNOW?

Even as innovation surges nationwide, high-spending states like California, New York, and Oregon still limit families' options, showing that dollars alone don't guarantee education freedom.

Transparency

Report cards are easily accessible under “Schools & Educators → Data Gateway” on Utah's State Board of Education homepage. The landing page allows users to compare schools, access report cards, and analyze school climate surveys, among other things. Report...

Teacher Quality

One of many data points to assess whether a state has the right policies in place to ensure teacher quality is the "use of student achievement data in teacher preparation accountability." How empty or full the fuel tank above is will give you the answer for your state.

Fast Facts:

4th Grade Math Proficiency: 42%
8th Grade Math Proficiency: 45%
4th Grade Reading Proficiency: 35%
8th Grade Reading Proficiency: 36%
Average SAT Score: 1230 / 1600
Average ACT Score: 20 / 36
Graduation Rate: 88.3%

Constitutional Issues

The state has a Blaine Amendment but it does not limit the ability of students to "use publicly funded scholarships to attend private, religious or public schools of their choice." (Institute for Justice)