SB 3710 permanently reauthorizes and expands the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program, extending school-choice access to low-income families including pre-kindergarten students.
The SOAR Permanent Authorization Act makes the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program permanent, authorizing $75 million annually beginning in fiscal year 2027. It extends scholarship grants for up to five additional years without a new competition, expands eligibility to pre-kindergarten students, adds new tutoring funds, and protects participating schools' admission standards from federal interference.
The American Council supports SB 3710 because school choice puts the decision of how and where a child is educated back where it belongs: with parents. By shielding participating private and faith-based schools' admission standards from interference, the bill also protects the institutional integrity of religious schools that serve low-income families in the nation's capital. Extending scholarships to pre-kindergarten reaches children at the earliest and most formative stage of their education.
SB 3710 has been read twice and referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. We will track its progress toward a committee vote.
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