In other words, the federal government's unfunded mandates place states and local school districts in an untenable position. The federal government has high expectations for special-education services, but it has failed to provide sufficient resources. Local school districts receive some assistance from the states but have to shoulder most of the cost. Despite the financial limitations, most public schools provide special-education services that meet federal requirements. Some schools and programs are exemplary.

The state school board is considering asking the Legislature for $2.3 million to help teach disabled students in public schools. It should. If anything, the Carson Smith Scholarship debate has shed light on the high cost of educating students with disabilities.

But this funding infusion should not exclude the possibility of also funding a scholarship program for parents willing to pay tens of thousands of dollars for private education services.

This shouldn't be an either/or proposition. Utah school districts clearly need more money to provide special-education programs. Providing funding on a contract basis to private schools that specialize in serving students with disabilities would help stretch precious public funds and enable severely disabled children to receive the intensive service they require at public school without dipping into the regular education funds to make ends meet.