It begins with education.

Education First Utah supports candidates for the Utah legislature who are open minded, smart and reasonable in their approach to decision making. Education First Utah does not have a litmus test on any issue for candidates to gain our support. Incumbents with a history of supporting educators and students in their past voting are appreciated.

We need to protect the Department of Education
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March 14th, 2025

The federal proposal to eliminate the Department of Education poses a serious threat to vital programs that support the nation’s most vulnerable students. The U.S. Department of Education plays a crucial role in providing resources that directly aid low-income families, students with disabilities, and other at-risk groups. Its elimination could undermine educational opportunities and essential services for millions of students who depend on them. Without effective federal oversight and funding, these programs could face an uncertain future, leaving already under-resourced states and school districts to shoulder the burden.

Special education funding is particularly at risk. Through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the Department of Education ensures students with disabilities receive the support they need. Eliminating the Department could jeopardize this funding, forcing states to cover costs they may be unable or unwilling to sustain. Likewise, Title I funding, which supports schools serving low-income communities, would be in danger. Without these federal resources, the gap between wealthy and impoverished school districts would likely grow , exacerbating educational inequality.

The elimination of the Department of Education also threatens programs addressing basic needs, like the Child Nutrition Program, which provides free and reduced-price meals to millions of children–potentially increasing food insecurity and hindering student success. While critics argue that eliminating the Department reduces bureaucracy, it very likely could dismantle programs that provide critical support to disadvantaged students—deepening inequality and weakening the nation’s commitment to educational opportunity for all.

While reforming the Department of Education may be worth exploring, it is crucial to protect programs and resources that support our nation’s most disadvantaged students. Any reform efforts should prioritize preserving essential services that ensure all students—regardless of their circumstances—have access to quality education and the support they need to succeed.

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Education First Utah · PO Box 912 · Centerville · Centerville, UT 84014-0912 · USA

A number of groups and individuals have looked at the drivers of improved educational outcomes and have generally come to consensus on what will move the needle in Utah. The groups and individuals include:

  • Governor Spencer Cox

  • Former Governor Gary Herbert

  • Governor Gary Herbert’s Commission on Educational Excellence

  • The Utah Legislature

  • The Utah State Board of Education

  • The Utah School Superintendents Association

  • The Utah School Boards Association

  • The Utah State Board of Higher Education

  • The Salt Lake Chamber, and numerous other organizations throughout the state

A focus on student achievement.

Education First Utah encourages candidates to support the same drivers that the above groups and individuals have endorsed, including:

  • Fair compensation for educators

  • Professional development opportunities for educators

  • Voluntary early education 

  • Valuing and increasing parent involvement

  • More counseling and mental health support for students

  • Funding equity across all neighborhoods

  • Improved access to higher education

  • Improved retention and graduation rates for higher education

Education First Utah was organized in 2011. There is no connection whatsoever with education-first.com in Seattle. Education First Utah is not advocating any tax increases.