Audit released on cost of educating undocumented students

This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2007, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Posted: 3:32 PM- The Legislative Auditor's office released a report this afternoon about the estimated cost of educating undocumented students in Utah.

Audit manager Tim Osterstock said it costs roughly $100 to $500 more to educate an undocumented student in Utah above the normal per-student cost.

There are an estimated 11,000 to 17,000 undocumented students in Utah, making up roughly two to three percent of the state's student population, according to "A Review of the Public Education Costs of Undocumented Children," an audit by the Utah Office Legislative Auditor General.

The state per-undocumented student estimated cost is $5,440 compared to the per-student cost of $5,140.

Sen. Margaret Dayton, R-Orem, requested the audit in January during the 2007 Legislative Session.

For a copy of the audit, please visit http://www.le.state.ut.us/audit/newaudit.htm" Target="_BLANK">http://www.le.state.ut.us/audit/newaudit.htm