Orrin Hatch: “I know I am not alone in believing that we need to help our schools prepare our young people to lead productive and…”

“I know I am not alone in believing that we need to help our schools prepare our young people to lead productive and satisfying lives. I feel strongly, as I am sure we all do, that nothing is more important than securing a future in which our children will be able to compete and succeed in a global economy, in which they will be able to cope with everyday life, and in which they will be able to appreciate those things that make life rich and rewarding. I am sure that everyone here has read the alarming statistics about the performance of American students in international comparisons, particularly in core subjects such as science and math. And, I was very disturbed to discover that, among eight industrialized countries, the United States is the only one where people over 55 do better at geography than recent high school graduates. There are encouraging signs, however. I, for one, do not have to look far. Utah has always made education a top priority. Despite demographics that make school financing a tremendous challenge, The State of Utah has a highly successful educational system and a successful collaboration with our local school districts. Utah ranks third in the Nation in State government expenditures for education per $1,000 of personal income. For every $1,000 of personal income, Utah spends $73.87 on education; average is $42.87. Utah ranks first in expenditures for higher education. Utah has the highest literacy rate in the United States.”