Today, the Utah Legislature gave final approval to legislation providing hundreds of students with special needs the opportunity to find the right mix of education services that work for them. House Bill 332, sponsored by Representative Mike Schultz, would establish a $6 million tax-credit scholarship program for families to pay for private school tuition, educational therapies, tutoring, online learning, textbooks and other education-related services and products.
“Providing students and their families the opportunity to find the best educational fit puts them in the driver’s seat of their education. Students with special needs deserve to have a customized education that includes the therapies and services they need to reach their potential and thrive. Expanding school choice will enhance the lives of Utah children, as well as provide families with more support.
“ExcelinEd in Action would like to thank the many leaders who have worked diligently to help Utah’s families, including the bill sponsor Representative Mike Schultz and our partners, including Sutherland Institute, Libertas Institute, SKAAGS Catholic Center and others.”
Brad Galbraith, Regional Legislative Director, ExcelinEd in Action
Utah families, like the Cizik family, are currently seeking scholarships to help customize their children’s education.
“I think a scholarship like this is very important, especially for a family like mine that has a child with unique needs. Being able to provide flexibility in her education is vital for her future growth. We know our children the best and we know what they need. If we had access to this scholarship, over the next ten years I could envision that my daughter would benefit by being able to live independently, or even attending college.”
Amy Cizik, Utah parent
The bill now heads to Governor Gary Herbert for further consideration.
For more information on the transformative power of education opportunity, visit ExcelinEd’s policy library.
