Libertas Institute typically does not engage with the internal policies of public schools. Our position has always been that parents should have the freedom to choose the educational path that best fits their child’s needs.
Most families who choose to homeschool or enroll in a microschool rarely return to the public school system. So when a public school program starts drawing homeschool families back in, it’s worth paying attention.
That’s exactly what is happening with the Davis School District’s Catalyst Program.
Designed to give high school students real-world, hands-on learning experiences, the Catalyst Program brings industry professionals into the classroom, prioritizes internships and apprenticeships, and helps students explore careers in a meaningful way.
For many students who don’t thrive in a traditional school setting, this program has been a game-changer—offering an engaging, practical education that prepares them for the workforce.
While Libertas continues to stay out of public school policymaking, I personally believe that Speaker Mike Schultz’s proposal to expand Catalyst programs statewide is exactly the kind of policy that public schools should embrace—especially if they want to remain relevant in today’s rapidly evolving education landscape.
Education Policy Analyst
Jon is the Education Policy Analyst at Libertas Institute. He previously taught fifth and sixth grade and served as an elementary principal in Weber School District for 14 years.