HB303 updates Utah’s school curriculum requirements by prohibiting public-school employees, including teachers, from endorsing or disparaging any religious, political, or social beliefs, including LGBTQ+ views. It also bans the display of the LGBTQ+ flag in government schools while allowing for age-appropriate curriculum discussions.
The Utah State House of Representatives failed to pass HB303 on February 26, 2024 by a vote of 32 to 39. We have assigned pluses to the ayes because this bill addresses the ongoing failures in public education by limiting ideological indoctrination. Academic performance has declined for decades, with fewer than a quarter of high school seniors proficient in core subjects like math and American history. Meanwhile, schools increasingly prioritize social engineering over academics. HB303 aims to refocus education on learning rather than advocacy, countering the shift toward politicized curriculum. Parents should seek alternatives, such as homeschooling or patriotic private schools such as FreedomProject Academy, which do not rely on government funding.