Enacted 2005 • Launched 2005–06
Most Utah students who have a disability are eligible to receive a scholarship to attend a private school. However, participation is limited by the amount of money appropriated to the special needs scholarship program fund. In 2011, this appropriation was extended by an additional $538,200 in ongoing funds. The program’s total ongoing funding is now approximately $3.75 million.
Latest Stats (2011)
- Students Participating: 679
- Schools Participating: 40
- Average Voucher Value: $5,374
Program Details
Program Type
Voucher
Scholarship/Voucher Value
The value of the scholarship is based on the state’s weighted pupil unit, an element of its school financing formula. Students who receive more than three hours of special education services per day get scholarships worth 2.5 times the weighted pupil unit, whereas students receiving fewer than three hours per day get scholarships worth 1.5 times the weighted pupil unit. In 2011, these values worked out to $6,442.50 and $3,865.50, while the average voucher in 2011–12 was $5,374. The scholarship may not exceed the private school’s actual tuition and fees.
Participation
In 2011–12, a total of 679 students received scholarships and 40 private schools participated.
Student Eligibility
Public school students identified as disabled under federal disability-rights law are eligible to receive scholarships, as well as students with disabilities in private schools that served students with disabilities prior to participating in the program. Participation in the program is limited by the amount of money appropriated to fund it each year. Applications in 2010–11 were subject to random lottery.
Legal Developments
No legal challenges have been filed against the program.
Rules & Regulations
- Income Limit: None
- Geographic Limit: Statewide
- Enrollment Cap: None
- Voucher Cap: Conditional
- Testing Mandates: Yes
Governing Statutes
Utah Code Sections 53A.1a.701-53A.1a.710
Additional Links
See http://www.schools.utah.gov/sars/Quick-Links/Carson-Smith-Scholarship.aspx for a list of eligible schools. Utah’s House Bill 2 (2011) expanded funding, and is available here: http://le.utah.gov/~2011/bills/hbillenr/hb0002.pdf.
