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Pete’s Perspective on D.C. Opportunity Scholarships

Washington, Mar 16 -

The D.C. Opportunity Scholarship program was created in 2004 to provide low-income children living in Washington, D.C. with the opportunity to attend the school of their choice. They are able to use the scholarship program to attend a religious school or other private schools. The program was established by Congress in a bipartisan spirit.



The Washington, D.C. school system has historically failed the children and parents it serves. The D.C. scholarship program has served as a bright light to the system by helping students graduate and succeed in their lives.



Since the program’s creation, 3,000 students have benefitted from the $7,500 scholarship they receive to attend the school of the student’s and parent’s choice. The $7,500 amount is half the cost the Washington, D.C. school system spends per child on education.



The $410 billion omnibus passed by Congress and signed into law by President Obama eliminates the program. It would take an act of the D.C. City Council and Congress to reauthorize it, and leaders at both levels have demonstrated their reluctance to do so.



It is important for the program to continue so that it can provide low-income students with a better education and an opportunity to succeed. Congress should expand upon the D.C. scholarship model as opposed to working to eliminate it.