Bipartisan Senators Introduce Bill To Preserve D.C. School Choice

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senators Joe Lieberman (ID-CT), Susan Collins (R-ME), Diane Feinstein (D-CA), George Voinovich (R-OH), Robert Byrd (D-WV), and John Ensign (R-NV) today introduced legislation to preserve school choice for District of Columbia students.

The Scholarships for Opportunity and Results (SOAR) Act would provide a 5-year reauthorization of the District of Columbia Opportunity Scholarship Program (OSP), which allows low income D.C. children, particularly those attending failing public schools, to obtain a voucher to attend private schools in the area.

"It is very important to recognize that the OSP schools are producing impressive results," said Lieberman. "This program - while not the entire solution to the problems that plague the DC public schools - should continue to play a valuable role in improving the educational opportunities for disadvantaged students in the District."

"The DC Opportunity Scholarship Program has provided additional education options for some of the District's most at-risk, low-income children who had previously attended some of the worst schools in the country," said Collins. "Our legislation would strengthen and improve the program and help ensure that all students in the District are receiving the highest quality education."

"A chorus of parents, teachers, and - most importantly - students who are involved in this program have provided us with invaluable empirical evidence: these scholarships are a worthwhile investment in our nation's future," Sen. Voinovich said. "Our bill will provide the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program with the funds it needs to let Washington D.C.'s talented students soar to new heights over the next four years."

"Many parents in the District of Columbia who work tirelessly to make sure their children receive a solid education deserve a choice. If they believe their teachers and principals are failing them and their children, then they should have the choice to seek other educational opportunities. The SOAR Act will provide that opportunity," added Senator Byrd.

"The D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program has been an educational lifeline for many of D.C.'s students," said Ensign. "A quality education should not be limited because of income level. Students receiving scholarships to attend D.C. private and charter schools have soared as a result of the program. I continue to be a strong advocate for this program because I truly believe that, given the chance, the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program will continue to positively impact the lives of young people throughout the District of Columbia."

SOAR Act Authorizations:

• $20 million for District of Columbia Public Schools

• $20 million for District of Columbia Public Charter Schools

• $20 million for District of Columbia Opportunity Scholarships

SOAR Act Provisions:

• Continues the OSP program for current and new students to provide expanded opportunities and choices for low-income students in the District of Columbia to attend private schools, at least until the public schools in the District of Columbia have adequately addressed shortfalls, and students in the public schools are testing in mathematics and reading at or above the national average.

• Increases the voucher amount from the current level of $7,500 to $9,000 for grades K - 8 and $11,000 for grades 9 - 12. This is consistent with the tuition of a typical school currently participating in the program.

• Adds a sibling preference so as not to separate families.

• Maintains current eligibility requirement that income not exceed 185% of poverty. Increases the limit to 250% of poverty only for families already participating in the program to allow children participating in the program to stay in the program, and to ensure there are no disincentives to families to accept job promotions or get married.

• Continues ongoing evaluations conducted by the Institute of Education Sciences.

SOAR Act Reforms:

• Requires participating schools to have a valid certificate of occupancy issued by the District of Columbia

• Requires proof of adequate financial resources for schools operating less than 5 years.

• Requires adequate financial systems, controls and policies to ensure that funds are used in compliance with the program.

• Requires that core teachers of OSP students have a baccalaureate or equivalent degree.