Committee approves Alcott Learning educator‑preparation program, recommends board approval

The Utah State Board of Education (USBE) Licensure Committee on an unanimous vote approved the application for Alcott Learning to become an approved educator‑preparation program and recommended the matter to the full board.

Lisa McLaughlin, USBE’s educator‑preparation coordinator, told the committee staff and the applicant had worked to clarify the application and add commitments that applicant clinical experiences would focus on Utah public schools and accredited private schools and that the application now includes updated letters of intent from local charter directors. "I'm Lisa McLaughlin. I am the educator preparation coordinator here at the Utah State Board of Education," McLaughlin said, describing the changes staff had helped negotiate.

Committee members praised the applicant’s responsiveness. Board member Longacre and Vice Chair Bollinger both said the applicant had addressed concerns raised at the prior meeting and thanked staff for their work. Vice Chair Bollinger noted staff had updated the application checklist so reviewers could confirm criteria were met. With that, a motion was made to approve Alcott Learning as an educator‑preparation program and recommend approval by the board; the motion passed 5–0.

An Alcott Learning representative thanked the committee for the opportunity to return and pledged the program would support teachers and students in Utah. The committee will forward its recommendation and the updated application materials to the full USBE for final action.