A new bill aimed at helping schools manage growing numbers of immigrant students and those with limited English proficiency has passed the Utah House Education Committee and is now set to move forward to the full House.
In a unanimous vote on Tuesday, the committee endorsed HB42, which proposes a $500,000 allocation to schools facing an influx of English-language learners. This amount is significantly lower than the $5 million initially suggested, but lawmakers believe it will still provide vital support.
Rep. Candice Pierucci, R-Herriman, the sponsor of the bill, explained that Utah’s schools are grappling with the challenges posed by an increase in students from immigrant families. Many of these students are arriving without English language skills, making it harder for schools to meet their educational needs. Pierucci described the situation as a “trickle-over effect of the crisis at the southern border,” and emphasized that the bill would provide emergency funding to schools dealing with unexpected surges of students in need of extra language support.
One example Pierucci provided was a school where nearly 100 students, who had never been registered and lacked English proficiency, showed up on the first day of school. The funding in HB42 is intended to help districts address situations like this one and support the students who are struggling the most.
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Jordan School District has seen a 108% increase in students with limited English skills, while Alpine School District reported a 139% rise, and Canyons School District saw a 107% increase.
While many of the other bills in the broader GOP immigration package focus on punitive measures for undocumented immigrants, HB42 takes a different approach by addressing the immediate needs of students. The bill would direct funds toward increasing the number of teachers who are trained to support students with limited English, ensuring their learning needs are met while also freeing up resources for other students.
Rep. Matt MacPherson, R-West Valley City, raised a point about the broader context of immigration in Utah, estimating that around 50,000 students in the state’s public schools are undocumented. He also brought up recent federal efforts under President Donald Trump to crack down on illegal immigration and asked if these changes would reduce the need for additional funding.
Pierucci responded by acknowledging that while the administration’s immigration policies may eventually slow the rate of increase in the number of students with limited English proficiency, the effects would take time. She noted that many of these students are legally in the country, and their need for English-language support will persist for the foreseeable future.
Several members of the public voiced their support for the bill during the committee meeting, emphasizing the importance of providing extra funding for these students. Liliana Bolaños, a policy analyst with Voices for Utah Children, a child advocacy group, highlighted that the funding would not only help immigrant students but would benefit all students who speak a language other than English at home, which reflects Utah’s increasingly diverse communities.
Aimee Warren, of the Utah PTA, suggested that lawmakers should consider allocating funds to districts like Salt Lake City and Granite that have already been dealing with large numbers of English-language learners for years. Under the current version of the bill, however, funding is specifically targeted at districts seeing sharp increases in the number of English-language learners, rather than those with high numbers already.
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To qualify for a share of the funding, school districts must demonstrate a 75% increase in the number of students with limited English proficiency compared to the previous three-year average, with at least 30 additional students. The State Board of Education will be responsible for determining how the funds are distributed among eligible districts.
As the bill continues through the legislative process, its supporters hope that it will provide crucial assistance to schools facing an overwhelming demand for English-language support.
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