James Moss Jr.

Education

I believe the answers to our education challenges can be found among Utah’s schools and teachers, which is why we created ULEAD to study and share local education success stories.  I believe State Board members should communicate regularly with districts and individual schools. Learn more

I believe the State Board should support the expanded use of Teacher Leader positions, as determined by local districts and schools, in order to share our best teachers’ expertise with new and struggling teachers. I also believe we should support evidence-based, in-school professional learning, and help schools continue to develop Professional Learning Communities in which teachers collaborate and use formative assessments to focus on the needs of each student. Learn more

I believe our schools should help each child obtain a broad education — from STEM to the arts and humanities —- that allows them to choose their own course, take responsibility for their educational progress, and ultimately excel in their chosen field. Learn more

I believe Utah should push back strongly against federal encroachment in our education system, and assert Utah’s right to make decisions about what is best for our children.  Utah has been recognized for providing the best educational “bang for the buck”; we should play a leadership role among the states rather than following Washington, while learning from innovators everywhere and constantly working to improve our own results. Learn more

I believe the ultimate form of local control is informed parental control, which requires determining how well our students are learning in relation to other students.  I believe Utah should customize its own standards, with ongoing input from parents and teachers, while providing flexibility to local districts and charters. Learn more

I support the right of parents to choose the best learning environment and form of schooling for their children, and to avoid intrusion on their moral authority or their children’s privacy.  I have supported parents’ right to choose on the State Charter School Board. Learn more

A thorough, well-rounded education includes much more than job training, but I believe our education system must help students understand the challenges and opportunities in today’s globalized economic climate, so they do not find themselves surprised and frustrated when they enter the workplace. Learn more

I believe the Board can be an effective advocate for increased funding as it fulfills its oversight role, by accounting in detail for the use of taxpayers’ money and encouraging productive and innovative use of funding by districts and schools. Learn more