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 Nico receives an Opportunity Scholarship, while Nia was one of the 216 students whose scholarship was retracted; however, through donations her family receives, Nia is able to attend the same school as her brother.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