Utah Fits All program transitions to Odysee amidst court ruling allowing continuation

The May 27, 2025, meeting of the Utah LEA Data Committee focused on the transition of the Utah Fits All Scholarship (UFA) program management from ACE to Odysee, effective May 15. The meeting began with an overview of the new program management structure and the implications for Local Education Agencies (LEAs) and scholarship recipients.

The committee confirmed that all awarded and applicant students have been informed of the transition, with Odysee's contact information provided for further inquiries. LEAs were advised to establish direct communication with Odysee to facilitate the management of UFA students, particularly regarding cross-enrollment issues.

A significant topic of discussion was the recent court ruling that deemed the UFA program constitutional, allowing it to continue without interruption. The committee emphasized the importance of a new school number, 993, which will serve as a key identifier for UFA students. This change aims to streamline the process of identifying students enrolled in public education outside their respective LEAs.

The meeting also addressed the responsibilities of LEAs in verifying student enrollment and eligibility for UFA. LEAs will need to communicate with Odysee to confirm whether students are cross-enrolled in public education, which has raised concerns about the potential administrative burden this places on districts. The committee acknowledged these concerns and indicated that further discussions would be necessary to clarify the roles of LEAs, especially those that are not UFA providers.

Additionally, the committee discussed the implications for student assessments and the need for UFA students to be properly recorded in the system. It was noted that UFA students would need to be enrolled under the 993 school number for assessment purposes, and that the existing processes would remain in place for the current school year.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to facilitate ongoing communication between LEAs and Odysee, with plans for future meetings to address unresolved questions and refine the processes related to the UFA program. The committee aims to ensure that all stakeholders are informed and prepared for the upcoming changes as the new management structure is implemented.