Bill > HR5181

This bill makes several improvements to the Scholarships for Opportunity and Results (SOAR) Act, which provides school choice scholarships for students in Washington, D.C. The bill extends grant duration by allowing renewals for up to an additional 5 years without a competitive process, broadens the residency requirement for board members to include the entire Washington metropolitan region (which includes parts of Maryland and Virginia), and modifies accreditation requirements for participating schools. The bill also expands the use of funds to include pre-kindergarten education and provides additional funding for tutoring services, with priority given to students from low-performing schools. The evaluation process for the scholarship program is updated to occur every 7 years, with a focus on assessing academic progress, high school and college graduation rates, and school safety. Additionally, the bill extends the authorization of appropriations through fiscal year 2032, adjusting the funding allocation between the District of Columbia, the Secretary of Education, and the District of Columbia public schools. These changes aim to improve the flexibility, accessibility, and effectiveness of the scholarship program for students in the Washington, D.C. area.

Government Affairs

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/5181/all-info