Utah homeschool landscape to change
The Utah legislature education committee met on 11/19/2025 to discuss a new bill titled, "Online Education Service Provider Funding and Oversight". This bill would be a legislative move toward centralized control of funding and accountability for non-traditional education.
While this bill creates a guaranteed funding path (VTSP), it does so by:
1- Eliminating an entire category of public-private educational partnership (the LEA-ESP model).
2- Imposing a restrictive framework (UFASP) on services that were previously managed at the local LEA level.
Link to bill HERE
Utah Fits Some
Defend Educational Pluralism: Stop the LEA Consolidation Bill!
The future of genuine educational choice in Utah is under immediate threat. New legislation, cloaked in the language of "school choice," is poised to dismantle the successful, flexible, and locally supported homeschool model that thousands of families currently rely on.
This bill mandates the transition of proven Educational Service Providers (ESPs)—the partners offering specialized curriculum and instructional services—out of Local Education Agency (LEA) contracts and into the centralized Utah Fits All Scholarship Program (UFASP).
The Threat to Choice and Autonomy
This is not an expansion of choice; it is a legislative forced consolidation. The bill establishes a definitive prohibition on LEA contracts with ESPs beginning July 1, 2029. This deadline eliminates the entire ecosystem that supports diverse educational programming like co-ops and local hybrid models, forcing families into a single, standardized, state-controlled funding structure.
Loss of Local Control: It strips LEAs of the power to contract for, fund, and oversee the non-traditional programs that have flourished under their local guidance.
A False "Guaranteed" Path: While the Vendor Transition Scholarship Program (VTSP) is guaranteed for current students, it comes with rigid restrictions, limiting fund usage only to the VQP's tuition and materials.
We must not allow our successful, educational landscape to be replaced by a single, government-managed scholarship monopoly.
🛑 Our Call to Action:
We call on the Legislature to reject this bill and preserve the fundamental principle of educational pluralism. We demand that families retain the power to choose not just where their student is taught, but how their educational services are funded and governed—through local LEA partnerships, private tuition, or the existing UFASP.
The freedom to pursue diverse educational models outside of a single, uniform state mechanism is the truest form of educational choice. We must defend it now!
About Us
Utah Families For Educational Freedom
We are Moms, Dads, Grandparents. We are former and current students. Some of us have kids in public schools, some have kids in UFA and some of us have kids in OpenEd or Harmony. We are passionate about education and want to preserve the diverse landscape of Utah's Education.
Sending out the call
We aim to inform our local communities about this upcoming legislation and ask for their support in contacting their legislators to Vote no on this bill.
Collecting Testimonials
We want to hear from you and your students. Please share how current educational opportunities in Utah have helped your families.
How you can help
Ways to Get Involved
Share Your Story
We would love to share your video or written testimonials with other families, the community and legislators. Please send them to [email protected]
Come Testify
Once the legislative session starts in January, we will have the opportunity to go to the education committee meeting and testify. Each person will get two minutes to speak. This is a great way for your students to get involved in civics.
Call your representatives
Click here to find your local representatives. When contacting them, please make sure you share your address so they know you are a constituent and share your personal reasons for opposing this bill.
Frequently Asked Question
General Questions
What will happen to opportunities like OpenEd?
OpenEd and other LEAs will no longer be able to operate as they currently do. They will be required to conform to UFA requirements.
What will happen to my student?
Your student will have the opportunity to stay with your LEA if they choose to transition to UFA. The scholarship amount will depend on household income.
Why is this happening?
We don't have a completely clear picture of what is going on, but we do know our reasons for wanting to stop this!
Can we stop this?
Yes! with your help we can show the legislature that this bill is a solution to a problem that doesn't exist and that it will, in fact, cause more issues for Utah families and students.
Stories That Inspire
Utah has so many wonderful educational opportunities that are working wonderfully for Utah families!
OpenEd funds allowed my parents to purchase robotic kits for me. When I was in elementary school, they were toys. Now I'm at one of the state tech schools doing work with huge robots. OpenEd allowed me to follow my interest and now I'm getting trained for an amazing job.
— Emmett, Student
— Jenny, Parent
Open Ed has given me the opportunity to provide my children with an amazing education. Tailored to meet the needs and interests of each of them. I will be forever grateful for this opportunity.
The flexible scheduling and engaging lessons have made learning so enjoyable for my daughter. Her enthusiasm for studying has returned!