A Birthday in Utah

Carson Smith, seen here with his mother, Cheryl.

This past weekend, Utah’s school choice program turned seven!  On March 10, 2005, then-Governor Jon Huntsman signed the Carson Smith Special Needs Scholarship into law, creating the state’s only publicly funded private school choice program and giving parents of students with special needs a choice in their children's education.

The Carson Smith program enables students identified as disabled and who have an Individualized Education Program (IEP) to attend the private school of their parents’ choice.  In 2011, the legislature strengthened this program by increasing funding, allowing more children with special needs to access the program. 

Named after Carson Smith, a young boy with autism whose mother fought tirelessly for parental choice, this program is serving 635 students in the 2011-12 school year.

Carson was diagnosed with severe autism at a young age and at first attended public school like his siblings.  But soon his school suggested to Carson’s mom, Cheryl, that he attend a specialized school.