In a move that has sparked both relief and debate, a bold attempt to eliminate graded 'character education' in Utah schools has been halted, leaving many wondering about the future of how we teach values in the classroom. But here's where it gets controversial... Is it possible to teach good character without it influencing a student's grades? That's the question at the heart of a recent legislative battle in Salt Lake City.
On Thursday, February 12, 2026, a legislative committee unanimously voted to hold HB 399, a bill sponsored by Rep. Trevor Lee, R-Davis County, effectively shelving the proposal—at least for now. This bill aimed to severely restrict or completely ban character education in Utah schools, a move that has divided opinions among educators, parents, and policymakers alike.
And this is the part most people miss... Rep. Lee, whose session has focused on gender, immigration, and education, argues that social and emotional learning (SEL) programs have overstepped their bounds. In a recent statement, he questioned, 'Who gets to decide what makes someone a 'nice person'?’ Lee believes that while teaching good character is valuable, it should never be tied to a student’s academic performance. 'As long as it doesn’t go too far so that it determines what their grade is,' he emphasized.
The public hearing on HB 399 drew a packed crowd, with passionate voices on both sides. Joshua Figueroa, an ESL teacher, shared a heartwarming story of a student who, after a lesson, proudly declared, 'Something that I learned is that I can make friends.' Figueroa argued that character education, when done right, can have a profound impact on students’ lives, though he disputed the notion that students are currently graded on character traits.
Here’s the kicker: Is character education inherently subjective, or can it be standardized without bias? Critics of the bill worry that removing character education altogether could leave a void in students’ moral development, while supporters argue that it’s a necessary step to prevent overreach in curriculum design. The House Education Committee’s unanimous decision to hold the bill likely spells its end for this session, but the debate is far from over.
What do you think? Should character education remain a part of Utah’s curriculum, or is it time to reevaluate its role in schools? Let us know in the comments—this is one conversation that’s just getting started.
