Op-Eds
July 28, 2025
America’s education crisis isn’t just about falling scores; it’s about failing to evolve. As technology, work, and society transform at breakneck speed, our schools are struggling to keep up. This op-ed argues that students need more than academic basics; they need durable skills like collaboration, leadership, and financial literacy to thrive in today’s world. It highlights how states like Utah are leading with innovative models that align education with the demands of the future. True reform means rethinking not just what we teach, but how we define success in the first place.… READ MORE
July 21, 2025
In my op-ed for the Washington Examiner, I challenge the idea that test scores alone define the state of American education. The real issue isn’t just performance; it’s that our system is out of sync with the world students are entering. I highlight how Utah is addressing this by rethinking what school can look like: offering flexible credentials tied to real jobs, profession-based learning centers, and universal scholarships that give families more choice. These reforms aren’t about abandoning standards; they’re about modernizing them. If we want students to thrive in a changing world, we need to rethink what it actually means to be prepared..… READ MORE
July 9, 2025
In this op-ed, I argue that the true crisis in education isn’t a lack of effort, but a failure to measure what matters most. I contend that schools still prioritize outdated metrics like standardized tests, while undervaluing the human-centered, durable skills, such as leadership, empathy, collaboration, and adaptability, that are essential in an AI-driven, rapidly changing world. To prepare students not just to perform, but to contribute meaningfully to society, I call for a fundamental shift in mindset and design: one that aligns educational priorities with the real-world demands of the future… READ MORE
July 1, 2025
Building on my op-ed from last month, chronic absenteeism is quietly undermining education in Utah, with nearly one in four students missing enough school to put their success at risk. Even well-meaning absences like family trips add up, contributing to lost learning and school instability. The issue is often misunderstood, but the data is clear: consistent attendance matters. And while the causes are varied, the solution requires a united effort; families, schools, and communities working together to make showing up a shared priority... READ MORE
June 30, 2025
In a time of growing public distrust and federal overreach, restoring federalism offers a practical, unifying path forward. This op-ed argues that true balance in American governance comes not from more power in Washington, but from revitalizing the constitutional relationship between states and the federal government.
Highlighting Utah’s leadership—including the recent passage of HB488—the piece shows how state-led innovation, local decision-making, and renewed civic engagement can strengthen democracy. Drawing from Founding principles, Supreme Court rulings, and bipartisan voices, it makes the case that federalism is not a relic, but a dynamic tool for rebuilding trust and empowering communities... READ MORE
June 18, 2025
Last year, Utah was once again a leader in the nation. We became the first state to establish an Office of Artificial Intelligence Policy, as well as an AI Learning Lab. Our progress and ambition for responsible innovation are integral to our role as the "laboratories of democracy." This is why, as we face the complex and rapidly evolving challenges of AI, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act must allow states to lead... READ MORE
June 17, 2025
Our kids are stepping into a world that is changing faster than any of us imagined, where the soft skills unique to humans—leadership, empathy, and character—stand out and become more valuable than ever. In an age when machines can produce an essay, design a logo, or generate code on command, isn’t it time to ask: What should we be teaching?… READ MORE
June 9, 2025
In the wake of the pandemic, chronic absenteeism has spiked to unprecedented levels across the state and the nation. The result isn’t just missed instruction — it’s missed opportunities, missed futures and missed connections to our communities…. READ MORE
May 3, 2025
Over the past century, power has quietly shifted away from Congress and toward the executive branch — and it’s affecting everything from how laws are made to how communities experience government. This isn’t just a political concern; it’s a constitutional one…. READ MORE