H.R.954 - SOAR Permanent Authorization Act (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.954, the SOAR Permanent Authorization Act, seeks to amend the Scholarships for Opportunity and Results (SOAR) Act. The bill aims to modify funding, testing, and evaluation requirements related to the DC school voucher program and permanently authorize its appropriation.
Key changes include altering accreditation requirements for participating schools, increasing funding for student academic assistance (tutoring), and refining standardized testing and evaluation standards. The bill also increases the authorized appropriation for the SOAR Act to $75,000,000 annually, starting in fiscal year 2024.
This legislation reflects an ongoing effort to refine and solidify the SOAR program, which provides scholarships for eligible students in the District of Columbia to attend private schools.
Expected Effects
The SOAR Permanent Authorization Act, if enacted, will lead to several changes in the DC school voucher program. Schools accredited by the Student and Visitor Exchange English Language Program administered by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement will now be eligible.
Increased funding for student tutoring services will likely improve academic outcomes for participating students, especially those from low-performing schools. The permanent authorization of funding ensures the program's long-term stability and allows for sustained support of eligible students.
Potential Benefits
- Increased Educational Opportunities: Provides scholarships for students to attend private schools in D.C.
- Enhanced Academic Support: Allocates more funding for tutoring services, prioritizing students from low-performing schools.
- Program Stability: Permanently authorizes funding, ensuring the program's long-term viability.
- Flexibility in Accreditation: Broadens the range of accrediting bodies recognized for participating schools.
- Improved Evaluation: Refines the evaluation process to better assess the program's impact on academic progress and educational attainment.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential Impact on Public Schools: Increased funding for private school vouchers could divert resources from public schools.
- Accountability Concerns: While the bill refines evaluation standards, questions may remain about the overall accountability of private schools receiving public funds.
- Equity Concerns: The program may not reach all eligible students, and access to scholarships could be unevenly distributed.
- Limited Scope: The bill focuses solely on the D.C. school voucher program, with no broader implications for national education policy.
- Potential for misuse of funds: There is a risk that the increased funding could be mismanaged or used for purposes other than intended.
Constitutional Alignment
The SOAR Permanent Authorization Act primarily concerns education policy within the District of Columbia. Congress has broad authority over the District under Article I, Section 8, Clause 17 of the Constitution, which grants Congress the power to exercise exclusive legislation in all cases whatsoever over the District.
The bill does not appear to infringe upon any specific individual rights or liberties protected by the Constitution. The First Amendment's Establishment Clause could be relevant if the program disproportionately benefits religious schools, but the bill does not explicitly promote or favor any particular religion.
Overall, the Act appears to be within the constitutional authority of Congress to legislate for the District of Columbia.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).