End the DC Voucher Program Now!

H.R. 5181 would continue the District of Columbia’s voucher program, Scholarship Opportunities And Results (SOAR), through 2032 and distribute its $60 million annual budget differently.

Public, private, and charter schools now receive equal support. Under H.R.5181, the voucher program’s share would rise from one-third ($20 million) to one-half ($30 million) and public schools’ share would drop from one-third ($20 million) to one-sixth ($10 million); charter schools would continue to receive one-third ($20 million).

In short, half the program’s funding would go to just 4% of DC’s students—a huge injustice, especially when the DC voucher program does not produce the results the “R” in SOAR represents.