Special-needs scholarship sails through Senate

Making sure parents of special-needs students know about the Carson Smith Scholarship Program is the goal of legislation, sponsored by Rep. Merlynn Newbold, R-South Jordan.

The bill received unanimous support from the Senate on Thursday and is now headed to the governor for his consideration. Gov. Jon M. Huntsman first signed the scholarship into law in 2005.

HB425 requires school districts to give scholarship information by Feb. 1 to students with disabilities who are under an Individualized Education Plan. Districts must also give the information to students within 30 days of their qualifying for an IEP.

Laura Anderson, president-elect of the Autism Council of Utah, said her son used the scholarship for two years. He is now at Millcreek Junior High School in a functional skills classroom with a 1-to-4 teacher-student ratio and is "thriving."

"I would like to not have another phone call from another mother who says, `Why didn't I know about this?'" Anderson said.

The bill also requests school districts put the link to the Utah State Office of Education on the district's Web site. The state office has a full-time employee who can answer questions about the scholarships. The telephone number is 801-538-7876. The Web site is www.usoe.k12.ut.us/.

Newbold's bill further states a private school that changes ownership must re-apply to become eligible to use the scholarships.

Scholarships range from $3,865 to $6,442 depending on the amount of special education services a child requires.

Since the 2005-2006 school year, the program has grown from 108 students at nine private schools to 565 children at 45 schools, a 423 percent enrollment increase.

Parents can apply for the Carson Smith Scholarship throughout the school year, but to receive the full scholarship amount for the 2009-10 school year, applications must be submitted by July 1.

To learn more, go to www.UtahEducationFacts.com

E-MAIL: astewart@desnews.com