Scholarships for Opportunity and Results Reauthorization Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Chair, I rise in opposition to H.R. 10, legislation that would reauthorize the D.C. private school voucher program.

This bill prioritizes an ideological agenda over the rights of D.C. residents to self-govern and, more importantly, over the rights of all students to get a quality education.

In study after study, the voucher program has failed to show any meaningful improvement in student achievement, safety, satisfaction, motivation, or engagement; yet since 2003, it has received nearly $190 million while failing to adhere to basic accountability standards.

Its funding should be dedicated to improving our underfunded and underresourced public school system, a school system that is required by law to serve all students.

Unlike public schools, private schools receiving voucher students have no requirement to serve all students. Specifically, they are able to--and do--reject students based on prior academic achievement, language ability, socioeconomic background, and other discriminatory factors.

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Mr. TAKANO. Many do not offer the necessary services for students with disabilities.

It is a mistake to continue funding a program that fails to serve all students, damages the public school system, and disregards the District's right to choose its own education policy.

I thank the gentlewoman from D.C. for yielding me the time.

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