SOAR Act Improvements Act

What Would Change

Today, the Scholarships for Opportunity and Results (SOAR) Act provides school choice scholarships for students in the District of Columbia, with its funding authorization set to expire sooner than 2032. The funds are currently divided with one-third for opportunity scholarships and one-third for public schools. Scholarship funds are generally for kindergarten and above, and the amount set aside for parental and student academic assistance is $2 million. Grants for scholarship programs are renewed through a competitive process. Board members of scholarship-administering groups must live in the District of Columbia. Schools must meet specific accreditation requirements, and program evaluations happen more frequently with a narrower focus. If this bill becomes law, the SOAR Act's funding permission would be extended through the government's budget year 2032. The share of funds for opportunity scholarships would increase to one-half, while the share for public schools would decrease to one-sixth. Scholarship funds would be allowed for pre-kindergarten education, and the amount for parental and student academic assistance would increase to $2.2 million, including tutoring services. Grants could be renewed for an additional five years without a new competitive process. Board members of scholarship-administering groups could live in the broader Washington metropolitan region. New schools would have up to five years to become fully accredited, and existing schools would have updated accreditation options. Program evaluations would occur every seven years, starting in January 2027, and would include long-term outcomes like high school and college success, and school safety, comparing scholarship students to public school students. Organizations receiving funds would also report on school violence, suspensions, and expulsions.