**Utah Governor Spencer Cox Advocates for Tougher Third Grade Reading Standards and Grade Retention Policy**
Utah Governor Spencer Cox has raised concerns over nearly half of the state’s third graders reading below minimum proficiency levels. He emphasizes the urgent need for action to improve child literacy across Utah’s schools.
### Increased Resources for Early Literacy
Governor Cox is proposing an allocation of tens of millions of dollars in the state budget to hire paraprofessionals who will provide additional reading support for early elementary students. He believes that boosting resources in K-12 education is a crucial first step toward improving literacy outcomes.
### Proposal for Third Grade Retention Policy
Beyond increasing funding, Cox advocates for a more controversial measure: implementing a retention policy that requires students who do not pass a reading comprehension test to repeat the third grade.
Acknowledging the divisiveness of such a policy, Cox stressed the long-term benefits it could have for struggling children. Speaking at a recent literacy symposium, he said, “I think there’s a way we can do it that treats kids and families with dignity and respect and makes it easy for them, but we need that pressure. It’s not that we want to hold kids back, it’s that we want them reading at third grade level so we don’t have to hold them back.”
### Legislative Support and Public Opinion
Legislative leaders have voiced their support for Cox’s proposal during recent editorial board meetings with the *Deseret News*, signaling potential bipartisan backing.
Currently, grade retention in Utah is rare and typically occurs only in extreme cases or upon parent request. A statewide, mandated retention policy would mark a significant shift from existing practices.
A recent *Deseret News/Hinckley Institute of Politics* poll reflects public opinion on this matter, surveying 799 registered Utah voters about retention standards and the proposed policy:
– **38%** believe current retention standards should be more strict
– **34%** say the standards are about right
– **8%** want less strict standards
– **19%** are uncertain
Among parents surveyed:
– **37%** want stricter retention standards
– **37%** think they are about right
– **10%** prefer less strict standards
Political affiliation displayed only slight differences in opinion:
– **41%** of Republicans favor stricter standards, while **36%** think they are appropriate
– **37%** of Democrats want stricter standards, **30%** say they are about right, and **11%** want less strict standards
### Broad Support for ‘Repeat Third Grade’ Policy
The poll also shows a majority of Utahns support the proposed policy that would require third graders who fail a state reading test to repeat the grade:
– **67%** support the policy (with **24%** strongly supporting it and **43%** somewhat supporting it)
– **24%** oppose the policy (**17%** somewhat oppose and **7%** strongly oppose)
Among parents:
– **59%** support the policy (**19%** strongly)
– Nearly one-third oppose it (with **8%** strongly opposed)
By party affiliation:
– **73%** of Republicans support the policy
– **66%** of Democrats support the policy
### Views on Technology in the Classroom
The poll also explored opinions on the role of technology in education:
– **60%** of respondents see technology as both helpful and harmful
– **29%** believe technology is mostly helpful
– Only **7%** think technology in classrooms is mostly harmful
Parents’ views are similar, with:
– **61%** considering classroom technology both helpful and harmful
– **26%** mostly helpful
– **9%** mostly harmful
### Upcoming Legislative Focus on Educational Technology
The 2026 Utah Legislature is expected to focus heavily on classroom technology. Republican lawmakers plan to propose two key bills:
– **Software Accountability for Education (SAFE) Act:** Would establish approval standards for educational software, ensuring vendors meet child safety requirements.
– **Balance Act:** Aims to set statewide limits on screen time in schools, especially in early grades, and establish rules for the use of artificial intelligence in classrooms.
Additionally, legislators are preparing to consider a bill enforcing a “bell-to-bell” cellphone ban in Utah’s public K-12 schools. Currently, students are required to keep their cellphones pocketed during class time.
—
Governor Cox’s push for strengthening reading proficiency standards signals Utah’s commitment to improving early education outcomes, while upcoming legislative efforts indicate an increased focus on balancing technology’s role in classrooms. As debates continue, parents and educators across the state will be closely watching how these policies take shape.
https://www.deseret.com/utah/2026/01/19/new-poll-shows-how-utahns-feel-about-third-grade-retention-plan/
