BAEO PRAISES PRESIDENT OBAMA FOR SUPPORTING DC OPPORTUNITY SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

Kudos to Obama for signing into law the reauthorization of the DC voucher program.  I have a feeling he and Duncan didn't fight Boehner very hard on this one – I have no doubt that they privately favor the program, but just can't do so publicly for political reasons.

 

BAEO PRAISES PRESIDENT OBAMA FOR SUPPORTING DC OPPORTUNITY SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

Washington, D.C. – The Black Alliance for Educational Options (BAEO) is pleased President Obama signed into law today the reauthorization of the DC Opportunity Scholarship Program (DC OSP) for five more years. This program provides scholarships to low-income families in Washington, D.C. to allow their children to attend private schools with federal money.

"This is an awesome victory for DC Opportunity Scholarship Program and gives hope to several thousands of children and families," said Kevin P. Chavous, BAEO Board Chair. "As a lifelong Democrat, I publicly issued several hard-hitting challenges to our President to help save this program, and today he listened to the voices of 2,000 kids and families by reauthorizing the DC Opportunity Scholarship Program."

"We also want to applaud the House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) for making the reauthorization of this program a top education priority," said Chavous.

"We are glad President Obama reconsidered his earlier decision and has agreed to give low-income families an opportunity for educational excellence," said Kenneth Campbell, BAEO President. "Low-income families will be able to access a range of quality education options that will give DC parents an opportunity to exercise choice in where their children go to school."

The fiscal year 2011 spending bill that Congress approved yesterday and President Obama signed into law today reauthorizes the program that allows low-income students in the District of Columbia to use federally funded scholarships to attend religious and independent schools.

The bipartisan budget plan includes the Scholarships for Opportunity and Results (SOAR) Act that the House approved as a stand-alone bill last month. Enactment of the legislation means that new students will be able to attend schools starting this fall using scholarships worth up to $8,000 in grades K-8 and up to $12,000 in grades 9-12. Priority will be given to students whose scholarships were rescinded when Congress closed the program to new students in 2009.