Gov. Jon Huntsman signed a measure Monday defying the Bush administration's No Child Left Behind Act despite a warning from the federal education secretary that it could cost $76 million in federal aid.
The bill represents the strongest stand against the federal law among 15 states considering anti-No Child Left Behind legislation this year. Utah is an overwhelmingly Republican state that strongly supported
President Bush.
The legislation, passed during a special session of the Legislature last month, gives Utah's education standards priority over federal requirements of the No Child Left Behind Act. It lets education officials ignore provisions of federal law that conflict with the state's program.
Huntsman, a Republican, signed the bill Monday at an elementary school in the legislative district of GOP Rep. Margaret Dayton, who has been leading the fight against what she calls the unfunded mandates of Bush's signature education law.
Huntsman's education deputy said he doubted Utah's stance would cost it any money.
"It empowers decision makers in the state education system, where there is conflict with federal law, to choose to follow the state objective first," Tim Bridgewater said.
Post a Comment