2026 Despite Fluctuations by Gender, DCCS High School Graduation Rates Continue to Surpass US and Utah; Female Rate hits 100%
September 1, 2026
The on-time high school graduation rate among DCCS members remained high in 2026 at 96.49%
The on-time high school graduation rate among DCCS members remained high in 2026 at 96.49%
Holding Out Help, a Baptist “Mormon rescue” ministry in Sandy, Utah, may be in violation of their tax-exempt status as well as several statutes meant to protect victims’ rights. Tonia Tewell began the organization in 2009 to provide “[s]upport for those that come from a polygamist community…”
New information reveals a disturbing back story of collusion and coordination between Jennifer Lambert and a private, third-party religious organization whose stated goal is to target young people from plural families to “reverse that curse” and ‘call them to Christ’.
In Utah, there are many Baptist ministry organizations specifically geared toward “saving Mormons” and converting them to the Baptist version of Christ. They target the mainstream Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints as well as other Mormon traditions, including plural family traditions.
A proposal to remove the sales and use tax from groceries was re-introduced in this year’s legislative session. HB172 would remove the sales tax on food items which currently sits at 3%.
On December 22, the Utah Supreme Court narrowly favored a father’s rights to teach or encourage his religious beliefs to his minor children. Both the mother and the father were members of the DCCS while married, although the mother does not share her husband’s belief in plural marriage.
The State Charter School Board (SCSB) continues to place demands on Vanguard Academy charter school in West Valley City, which has been on “probation” status since August 22. Some of these demands appear to be contrary to Utah law.
Most of Utah’s political races in the 2022 election were won by a super majority, as has been the case historically for many decades. However, when the margins are close, plural community voters have likely swayed the outcome of some contests.
The 2022 mid-term elections are technically November 8th, but many people have already received their ballots in the mail. We've been doing research, speaking with candidates on the phone, via email and in person. Here are our recommendations:
.jpg)
The Guardian news outlet published a story Monday featuring the lawsuit filed by lawyer-turned-TV-producer Roger Hoole. The full text of the questions and responses from the DCCS are published here.
At their annual retreat on September 8 in Heber City, the SCSB voted late in the day to rescind its August 22nd order to remove all 9 of Vanguard Academy’s board members after an unprecedented amount of attention and backlash from students, parents, staff and some members of the public.
