Western Opinion Sampler: Schools, pre-schools, bullies and budgets ...

Above: A Bagley blast from the past. Dec. 5, 2011, to be exact.

A pedagogical tone to today's editorial round-up:

— Early education: SB71 should be a beginning — Salt Lake Tribune EditorialOpponents of a bill in the Utah Senate that would pay for a few more at-risk children to attend pre-kindergarten classes are living in a world that doesn't exist in reality.Cherilyn Eagar, an unsuccessful congressional candidate and ardent conservative, said allocating more money for Utah's meager pre-K program for children from low-income homes would be "throwing money down a rat hole." Her shortsightedness is startling, and her lack of compassion is alarming. Her alternative solution to the problem of so many youngsters already lagging behind their peers when they start first grade — to let churches and community groups worry about it — is so wrongheaded as to be ridiculous. ...

— Obama's preschool plan could be a boon to valley, California, and rest of the nation — San Jose Mercury News Editorial

— Youth protection: Capitol first-responders — Salt Lake Tribune Editorial... teen bullying has grown into a much greater problem than when most adult Utahns attended junior and senior high. Public concern has produced timely legislation offering overdue assistance to parents and schools in understanding and addressing suicide and the bullying that too often plays a part. ...

— Sex ed bill not needed — Ogden Standard-Examiner Editorial... We support educators teaching sex education in schools. Parents should be encouraged to make sure their kids attend sex ed in school. If they are unwilling to do that, they should make their own effort to learn about these issues. We don't need to expend more energy, or money, on a curriculum that is already provided.

— Universities should focus more finances on academics rather than athletics — Deseret News Editorial

— Invest in education — Las Vegas Sun Editorial... If state leaders are serious about improving education, they need to, as the old saying goes, put their money where their mouths are and make a significant, long-term investment in the state's schools this session. ... [Hmmm. That sounds familiar.]