Hearing Hearing Date: May 14, 2015 9:30 am Archbishop Carroll High School | 4300 Harewood Rd, NE | Washington, DC 20017

D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program: Making the American Dream Possible

Subject: D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program: Making the American Dream Possible
Date: May 14, 2015
Time: 9:30 am
Place: Archbishop Carroll High School | 4300 Harewood Rd, NE | Washington, DC 20017

Full Committee on Oversight and Accountability

WASHINGTON – On Thursday, May 14^th the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee will hold a hearing to examine the role that the Opportunity Scholarship Program (OSP) plays in providing parents in the District of Columbia with the option of enrolling their children in a private school if that best suits their children’s academic needs.

BACKGROUND:

Initially established in 2004 through the D.C. School Choice Incentive Act, and reauthorized for five years through the 2011 Scholarships for Opportunity and Results (SOAR) Act, OSP provides low-income families within the District of Columbia an opportunity to apply for scholarship funding to attend a private school. If eligibility requirements are met, students are considered for an OSP scholarship that may be applied toward private school tuition and related expenses.

During the 2014 school year, 89% of students enrolled through an OSP scholarship graduated.

Witnesses and testimonies: Patrick J. Wolf, Ph.D.

Professor and 21st Century Chair in School Choice
College of Education and Health Professions, University of Arkansas

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Shirley-Ann Tomdio

Former OSP Scholarship Recipient
Current student at the George Washington University

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Megan Gallagher

Senior Research Associate
Urban Institute

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Seferash Teferra

Parent of OSP Scholarship Recipient

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Senator Tim Scott