Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

Us Congress House Bill HB3663

Introduced
5/25/23  

Caption

SOAR Permanent Authorization Act

Impact

The proposed amendments are designed to streamline the funding and administration of the Scholarship Program. For instance, the bill mandates that funds allocated for tutoring services prioritize students who have attended some of the lowest-performing schools, thereby addressing educational inequities. Furthermore, the bill modifies various stipulations regarding administrative assessments and the academic performance evaluation of the scholarship beneficiaries. These adjustments are intended to ensure that the program consistently yields positive educational outcomes for participating students.

Summary

House Bill 3663, known as the SOAR Permanent Authorization Act, seeks to amend the existing Scholarships for Opportunity and Results Act, thereby making it a permanent program. This bill emphasizes the enhancement of educational opportunities for students in the District of Columbia by facilitating access to scholarships that enable them to attend better-performing schools. The changes proposed in the bill include an increase in funding from $60 million to $75 million, which is aimed at improving educational resources and services for students requiring additional academic support.

Contention

While the bill appears to have the support of those advocating for educational reform and increased funding for student scholarships, it may face opposition from those who question the efficiency of such programs or their long-term efficacy in genuinely improving educational outcomes. There is an ongoing debate regarding whether monetary investment in scholarships and educational resources directly translates into enhanced student performance and whether such programs adequately address the needs of the most disadvantaged students in the district.

Companion Bills

US SB69

Same As SOAR Permanent Authorization Act This bill modifies and permanently reauthorizes the Scholarships for Opportunity and Results program. This program provides education funding for the District of Columbia, including for private school vouchers, public schools, and public charter schools. In particular, the bill revises (1) the list of accrediting bodies that may accredit participating schools, (2) the manner in which tutoring services provided under the program are funded, and (3) the program's reporting and evaluation requirements.

Previously Filed As

US HB954

SOAR Permanent Authorization Act

US HB976

TCJA Permanency Act

US SB69

SOAR Permanent Authorization Act This bill modifies and permanently reauthorizes the Scholarships for Opportunity and Results program. This program provides education funding for the District of Columbia, including for private school vouchers, public schools, and public charter schools. In particular, the bill revises (1) the list of accrediting bodies that may accredit participating schools, (2) the manner in which tutoring services provided under the program are funded, and (3) the program's reporting and evaluation requirements.

US HB2741

Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2023

US HB137

TCJA Permanency Act

US HB4771

CHIPP Act Children’s Health Insurance Program Permanency Act

US SB1678

VET–TEC Authorization Act of 2023

US SB1877

Continue VET TEC Authorization Act of 2023

US HB1527

SOAR Act Simplifying Outdoor Access for Recreation Act

US HB16

American Dream and Promise Act of 2023 This bill provides certain non-U.S. nationals (aliens under federal law) with a path to receive permanent resident status and contains other immigration-related provisions. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or the Department of Justice (DOJ) shall provide conditional permanent resident status for 10 years to a qualifying individual who entered the United States as a minor and (1) is deportable or inadmissible, (2) has deferred enforced departure (DED) status or temporary protected status (TPS), or (3) is the child of certain classes of nonimmigrants. The bill imposes various qualifying requirements, such as the individual being continuously physically present in the United States since January 1, 2021, passing a background check, and being enrolled in or having completed certain educational programs. DHS shall remove the conditions placed on permanent resident status granted under this bill if the alien applies and meets certain requirements, such as completing certain programs at an educational institution, serving in the military, or being employed. Furthermore, DHS and DOJ shall provide lawful permanent resident status to certain individuals who had TPS, were eligible for TPS, or were eligible for DED status on certain dates. Such individuals must meet certain requirements and apply for such status within three years of this bill's enactment. DHS may not use information from applications filed under this bill or for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals status for immigration enforcement purposes. This bill also repeals a restriction that bars a state from providing higher education benefits to undocumented individuals unless those benefits are available to all U.S. nationals without regard to residency in the state.

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