CURRENT GRADE: B
Utah just adopted a new education choice law (scholarship program) and it is already serving 10% of students in the state. In addition to special education choice programs, they are headed in the right direction with plans to expand.
Homeschooling is very parent friendly and religious freedom laws are some of the best in the nation.
Compulsory attendance is required between ages 6-18.
Education Options
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- Utah Fits All Scholarship Program—started in 2024
- Amount for 2025 school year is $8,000 with increases in following years.
- A program manager establishes an account for a student applicant.
- Eligibility preferences are given to students who received scholarships the previous year and students with family income below 200% of poverty level, and then to a sibling.
- Funds may be used for tuition and rehabilitation.
- The program served approx. 10,000 the first year (out of approx. 106,000 total students).
- Special Education
- Carson Smith Opportunity Scholarship and Special Needs Scholarship Grants
- Students must be identified to be eligible for services under the IDEA and not attend public schools
- Priority it given based on income level.
- Carson Smith Scholarship amounts in 2024-25 were $8,988.
- First quarter of 2024, 635 students were awarded a Carson Smith scholarship.
- 334 students were give the special needs scholarship grant.
- Charter Schools
- Charter schools are permitted and can be authorized by a local school board, Utah State Charter School Board, or board of trustees from 9 different colleges.
- Publicly funded but not required to be controlled by local school board.
- Utah has 132 charter schools.
- Public School Open Enrollment
- Families can elect to have their students attend a public school outside their zoned district, space permitting.
- Carson Smith Opportunity Scholarship and Special Needs Scholarship Grants
- Utah Fits All Scholarship Program—started in 2024
Homeschooling Laws
Here are state requirements to homeschool:
- A one time notification to the school district is required.
- Homeschooled students may participate in extracurricular activities at public schools and may also participate in dual enrollment.
Religious Exemptions:
- Utah law permits students to refrain from participation in any aspect of school that violates a religious belief or right of conscience.
The First Amendment states “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” Many argue that a religious conviction to provide a home-based education is constitutionally protected and a state religious exemption law is not a requirement to be able to homeschool on religious grounds.
It should be noted that the U.S. Supreme Court in Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972) established that “Under the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment, a state law requiring that children attend school past eighth grade violates the parents’ constitutional right to direct the religious upbringing of their children.” (The case involved a challenge of a 16-year-old student to be exempt, so the scope was limited)
