Standard-Examiner Governor: Utah wont © leave minorities behind BY TANNA BARRY that class has not Passed the _ math portion. Though ‘there aren't numbers for how mi- — Standard-Examiner Davis Bureau tbarry@standard.net , SALT LAKE CITY — Ensuring that the achievement gap between white and minority students shrinks is at the top of Gov. Jon Hunts-. man’s education agenda. Huntsman, addressing the Utah State Board of Education Friday morning, said the achievement gap has been accentuated through federal mandate No-Child Left Behind. This law requires all Students to be achieving in reading and math at their re- spective grade level by 2014. _ “We're not the first state to _ come across this,” he said. Still, Huntsman said discussion is needed to find out what the achievement gap is exactly, what it means to long-term quality of life and what can be done to fix it. norities have fared, Stewart Said it is a potential problem. “Our parents are really concerned our kids are go- ing to be categorized because they can’t pass all the tests,” She said. “It’s not that our kids are dumb, stupid or slow. Maybe they aren’t taught in a way they can understand.” Stewart pointed to possible cultural barriers as interfering. State board members said. they wanted to work with both the governor and the coalition to address educa- | tion concerns. Chairman Kim Burningham told the. coali- tion specifically the board © Burningham the to go arm in:arm to let them Committee group’s presented semiannual re- port and reiterated Huntsman’s concerns. “We're concerned about what is happening to our children,” said Kitty Stewart, coalition chairwoman. Stewart drew the comparison further to include the Utah Basic Skills Competency Test that is now required fo earn a basic high school diploma at graduation. The Class.of 2006 is the first that must pass math, writing and reading tests. _ Right now, 17 percent of ——— i _ needed its help to gain fund- ; ing from the Legislature for : items such as. remediation for Utah’s test. : “We want to help the kids who aren’t going to make it,” Representatives from the Coalition of Minorities Advi- sory — know said. “We need we’re concerned with what is happening to the children.” aie With the first wave of students facing the new diploma requirements next year, Huntsman agreed that something needs to be done. _ Board members said they / are looking into what other } competencies can be consid-é ered to earn a basic diploma// Huntsman said he to further discuss hopes | education issues with stakeholders at a special summit he wants to, convene in August. |