More Resources Secretary's Remarks

Washington — Calling the day "a tribute to high expectations," U.S. Education Secretary Margaret Spellings joined 200 graduates of the Washington Scholarship Fund program and their families, including recipients of the first-ever federally funded Opportunity Scholarship Program.

"You are here today because the people in this room know that education is the ticket to achievement," Spellings told the 8th- and 12th-grade graduates, their families and guests at the group's commencement, held at the Lincoln Theatre. "They are pioneers; they took a chance because they hoped to create a better life for you."

The ceremony, held by the nonprofit Washington Scholarship Fund (WSF), recognized and honored the academic achievement of the students, all from low-income families. During the past 12 years, WSF has provided more than $18 million in scholarships to nearly 4,000 K-12 students from low-income Washington, D.C., families through its privately funded Signature Scholarship Program and the federally funded D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program.

This year's class included students who were among the first recipients of Opportunity Scholarships under the D.C. School Choice Incentive program. Passed by Congress and signed into law by President Bush in 2004, the program has allowed more than 1,000 students from eligible low-income families to attend a private school in the District that meets their educational needs. To be eligible for the program, which provides up to $7,500 per year to pay for tuition, transportation and fees at participating nonpublic schools in the District, students must reside in D.C. and have a family income of no more than 185 percent of the poverty level ($28,990 for a family of three).

Approximately 1,000 Opportunity Scholarship recipients enrolled in 53 participating schools for the 2004-05 school year. The Washington Scholarship Fund (WSF), chosen in March 2004 to administer the Opportunity Scholarship Program by the District of Columbia and the U.S. Department of Education, recently awarded approximately 1,000 new scholarships exclusively to public school students. These students will be eligible to enroll in one of 67 schools participating in the program in 2005-06.

"Your loved ones wouldn't settle for anything less than the best for you," Spellings said, citing the example of Holy Redeemer 8th-grader Janay Watson. "Janay's grandmother Marie Watson says, 'It's important to put a child where they would be best educated.' I couldn't agree more."

Spellings also pledged to bring high standards and accountability to Washington, D.C.'s public schools through the No Child Left Behind Act.

"I believe that every child in America should have the chance to be whatever they want to be," Spellings said. "President Bush and I will continue working to make sure that every school in America has high expectations and that every child receives the quality education he or she deserves."

Spellings concluded by asking the graduates to remember who helped make this day possible.

"As you work to fulfill your dreams, you should not only look forward, but also look back," she said. "Know your future was built on a foundation of hope, faith and hard work. Try to look out for another young person the way your loved ones looked out for you."

For the full text of the Secretary's commencement address, go to http://www.ed.gov/news/speeches/2005/06/06292005.html

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