S 69 — SOAR Permanent Authorization Act

Summary

SOAR Permanent Authorization Act This bill modifies and permanently reauthorizes the Scholarships for Opportunity and Results program. This program provides education funding for the District of Columbia, including for private school vouchers, public schools, and public charter schools. In particular, the bill revises (1) the list of accrediting bodies that may accredit participating schools, (2) the manner in which tutoring services provided under the program are funded, and (3) the program's reporting and evaluation requirements.

Bill Text

• Introduced Introduced in Senate Current html January 25, 2023

AI-generated reading aid from the bill's amendatory text — verify against the official bill.

The bill increases the funding and expands the provisions of the Scholarships for Opportunity and Results Act.

• section 3007

  subclause (I) → (I) is fully accredited by an accrediting body with jurisdiction in the District of Columbia or that is recognized by the Student and Visitor Exchange English Language Program administered by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement; or

  This change clarifies the accreditation requirements for schools participating in the program.

• section 3007

  subsection (c)

  This change removes an entire subsection, possibly streamlining the legislation.

• section 3007

  $2,000,000 → $2,200,000

  This change increases the funding limit for parental assistance.

• section 3007

  (3) The expenses of providing tutoring service to participating eligible students that need additional academic assistance. If there are insufficient funds to provide tutoring services to all such students in a year, the eligible entity shall give priority in such year to students who previously attended an elementary school or secondary school identified as one of the lowest-performing schools under the District of Columbia's accountability system.

  This addition allows for funding of tutoring services and establishes priorities for low-performing students.

• section 3008(h)

  section 3009(a)(2)(A)(i) → section 3009(a)

  This change simplifies the reference to another section.

• section 3008(h)

  paragraph (2) → (2) Administration of tests.--The Institute of Education Sciences may administer assessments to students participating in the evaluation under section 3009(a) for the purpose of conducting the evaluation under such section.

  This change clarifies the authority of the Institute of Education Sciences regarding assessments.

• section 3009(a)

  annually → regularly

  This change modifies the frequency of assessments from annual to regular.

• section 3009(a)

  impact of the program → impact of the program on academic progress and educational attainment.

  This change expands the evaluation criteria to include educational attainment.

• section 3009(a)

  on education → of education

  This change corrects the wording for clarity.

• section 3009(a)

  in each of grades 3

  This change removes a requirement about specific grade levels.

• section 3009(a)

  A comparison of the academic achievement of participating eligible students who use an opportunity scholarship on the measurements described in paragraph (3)(B) to the academic achievement → The academic progress of participating eligible students who use an opportunity scholarship compared to the academic progress

  This change updates the language to focus on academic progress instead of achievement.

• section 3009(a)

  increasing the satisfaction of such parents and students with their choice → those parents' and students' satisfaction with the program

  This change clarifies the focus on the satisfaction of parents and students.

• section 3009(a)

  achievement → progress

  This change aligns terminology to emphasize progress.

• section 3014

  $60,000,000 for fiscal year 2012 and for each fiscal year through fiscal year 2023 → $75,000,000 for fiscal year 2024 and for each succeeding fiscal year

  This change increases the funding authorization significantly for future fiscal years.

• section 3014

  $60,000,000 → $75,000,000

  This change updates the funding amount for clarity and increases resources.

Action History

1. January 25, 2023

   Introduced in Senate

2. January 25, 2023

   Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

Sponsors

• Ron Johnson · Primary
• Dianne Feinstein · Cosponsor
• Tim Scott · Cosponsor
• Mike Braun · Cosponsor

Subjects