OGR Subcommittee Hearing Advisory: "The D.C. Opportunity Scholarship: Keeping the Door Open"

SUBCOMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, CENSUS AND THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES

THE HONORABLE TREY GOWDY, CHAIRMAN

The D.C. Opportunity Scholarship: Keeping the Door Open

Date: Tuesday, March 1st, 2011

Start Time: 9:30 a.m.

Location: 2154 Rayburn House Office Building

Title: The D.C. Opportunity Scholarship: Keeping the Door Open

Witnesses:

Panel I

• Mr. Ronald Holaisse

Senior at Archbishop Carroll High School, and DC OSP recipient since the 6th grade

• Ms. Lesly Alvarez

An 8th grade student at Sacred Heart School, and a DC OSP recipient

• Ms. Sheila Jackson

Mother of an OSP student, Shawnee, who is in the 10th grade at Preparatory School of DC.

• Ms. Latasha Bennett

Single mother of two children. Nico receives an Opportunity Scholarship, while Nia was one of the 216 students whose scholarship was retracted; however, through donations her family receives, Nia is able to attend the same school as her brother.

• The Honorable Vincent Gray

Mayor of DC

Panel II

• Mr. Kevin Chavous

Chairman, Black Alliance for Education Options

• Dr. Patrick Wolf

Professor and 21st Century Chair in School Choice, Department of Education Reform

University of Arkansas

• Ms. Betty North (invited)

Principal and CEO of the Preparatory School of DC

Description: This hearing will examine how the DC Opportunity Scholarship Program expanded educational options for low-income District residents. H.R. 471, the Scholarships for Opportunity and Results ACT (SOAR Act), a bi-partisan bill to reauthorize the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program, was introduced by Speaker Boehner this Congress. Chairman Gowdy and full committee Chairman Darrell Issa are original co-sponsors. You can view a summary of the legislation here: http://www.speaker.gov/UploadedFiles/SOAR_Act_Summary.pdf.

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