II 
Calendar No. 24 
112TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. R. 471 
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 
MARCH 31, 2011 
Received; read the first time 
APRIL 4, 2011 
Read the second time and placed on the calendar 
AN ACT 
To reauthorize the DC opportunity scholarship program, and 
for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Scholarships for Op-
portunity and Results Act’’ or the ‘‘SOAR Act’’. 
SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 
Congress finds the following: 
(1) Parents are best equipped to make decisions 
for their children, including the educational setting 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
22:25 Apr 04, 2011
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00001
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H471.PCS
H471
emcdonald on DSK2BSOYB1PROD with BILLS
HR 471 PCS 
that will best serve the interests and educational 
needs of their child. 
(2) For many parents in the District of Colum-
bia, public school choice provided under the Elemen-
tary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as well 
as under other public school choice programs, is in-
adequate. More educational options are needed to 
ensure all families in the District of Columbia have 
access to a quality education. In particular, funds 
are needed to provide low-income parents with en-
hanced public opportunities and private educational 
environments, regardless of whether such environ-
ments are secular or nonsecular. 
(3) While the per student cost for students in 
the public schools of the District of Columbia is one 
of the highest in the United States, test scores for 
such students continue to be among the lowest in 
the Nation. The National Assessment of Educational 
Progress (NAEP), an annual report released by the 
National Center for Education Statistics, reported in 
its 2009 study that students in the District of Co-
lumbia were being outperformed by every State in 
the Nation. On the 2009 NAEP, 56 percent of 
fourth grade students scored ‘‘below basic’’ in read-
ing, and 44 percent scored ‘‘below basic’’ in mathe-
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
22:25 Apr 04, 2011
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H471.PCS
H471
emcdonald on DSK2BSOYB1PROD with BILLS
HR 471 PCS 
matics. Among eighth grade students, 49 percent 
scored ‘‘below basic’’ in reading and 60 percent 
scored ‘‘below basic’’ in mathematics. On the 2009 
NAEP reading assessment, only 17 percent of the 
District of Columbia fourth grade students could 
read proficiently, while only 13 percent of the eighth 
grade students scored at the proficient or advanced 
level. 
(4) In 2003, Congress passed the DC School 
Choice Incentive Act of 2003 (Public Law 108–199; 
118 Stat. 126), to provide opportunity scholarships 
to parents of students in the District of Columbia to 
enable them to pursue a high-quality education at a 
public or private elementary or secondary school of 
their choice. The DC Opportunity Scholarship Pro-
gram (DC OSP) under such Act was part of a com-
prehensive 3-part funding arrangement that also in-
cluded additional funds for the District of Columbia 
public schools, and additional funds for public char-
ter schools of the District of Columbia. The intent 
of the approach was to ensure that progress would 
continue to be made to improve public schools and 
public charter schools, and that funding for the op-
portunity scholarship program would not lead to a 
reduction in funding for the District of Columbia 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
22:25 Apr 04, 2011
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H471.PCS
H471
emcdonald on DSK2BSOYB1PROD with BILLS
HR 471 PCS 
public and charter schools. Resources would be avail-
able for a variety of educational options that would 
give families in the District of Columbia a range of 
choices with regard to the education of their chil-
dren. 
(5) The DC OSP was established in accordance 
with the Supreme Court decision, Zelman v. Sim-
mons-Harris, 536 U.S. 639 (2002), which found 
that a program enacted for the valid secular purpose 
of providing educational assistance to low-income 
children in a demonstrably failing public school sys-
tem is constitutional if it is neutral with respect to 
religion and provides assistance to a broad class of 
citizens who direct government aid to religious and 
secular schools solely as a result of their genuine 
and independent private choices. 
(6) Since the inception of the DC OSP, it has 
consistently been oversubscribed. Parents express 
strong support for the opportunity scholarship pro-
gram. Rigorous studies of the program by the Insti-
tute of Education Sciences have shown significant 
improvements in parental satisfaction and in reading 
scores that are more dramatic when only those stu-
dents consistently using the scholarships are consid-
ered. The program also was found to result in sig-
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
22:25 Apr 04, 2011
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H471.PCS
H471
emcdonald on DSK2BSOYB1PROD with BILLS
HR 471 PCS 
nificantly higher graduation rates for DC OSP stu-
dents. 
(7) The DC OSP is a program that offers fami-
lies in need, in the District of Columbia, important 
alternatives while public schools are improved. This 
program should be reauthorized as 1 of a 3-part 
comprehensive funding strategy for the District of 
Columbia school system that provides new and equal 
funding for public schools, public charter schools, 
and opportunity scholarships for students to attend 
private schools. 
SEC. 3. PURPOSE. 
The purpose of this Act is to provide low-income par-
ents residing in the District of Columbia, particularly par-
ents of students who attend elementary schools or sec-
ondary schools identified for improvement, corrective ac-
tion, or restructuring under section 1116 of the Elemen-
tary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
6316), with expanded opportunities for enrolling their 
children in other schools in the District of Columbia, at 
least until the public schools in the District of Columbia 
have adequately addressed shortfalls in health, safety, and 
security, and the students in the District of Columbia pub-
lic schools are testing in mathematics and reading at or 
above the national average. 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
22:25 Apr 04, 2011
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00005
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H471.PCS
H471
emcdonald on DSK2BSOYB1PROD with BILLS
HR 471 PCS 
SEC. 4. GENERAL AUTHORITY. 
(a) OPPORTUNITY SCHOLARSHIPS.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—From funds appropriated 
under section 14(a)(1), the Secretary shall award 
grants on a competitive basis to eligible entities with 
approved applications under section 5 to carry out a 
program to provide eligible students with expanded 
school choice opportunities. The Secretary may 
award a single grant or multiple grants, depending 
on the quality of applications submitted and the pri-
orities of this Act. 
(2) DURATION
OF
GRANTS.—The Secretary 
may make grants under this subsection for a period 
of not more than 5 years. 
(b) 
DC 
PUBLIC
SCHOOLS
AND
CHARTER 
SCHOOLS.—From funds appropriated under paragraphs 
(2) and (3) of section 14(a), the Secretary shall provide 
funds to the Mayor of the District of Columbia, if the 
Mayor agrees to the requirements described in section 
11(a), for— 
(1) the District of Columbia public schools to 
improve public education in the District of Colum-
bia; and 
(2) the District of Columbia public charter 
schools to improve and expand quality public charter 
schools in the District of Columbia. 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
22:25 Apr 04, 2011
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00006
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H471.PCS
H471
emcdonald on DSK2BSOYB1PROD with BILLS
HR 471 PCS 
SEC. 5. APPLICATIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—In order to receive a grant under 
section 4(a), an eligible entity shall submit an application 
to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and accom-
panied by such information as the Secretary may require. 
(b) CONTENTS.—The Secretary may not approve the 
request of an eligible entity for a grant under section 4(a) 
unless the entity’s application includes— 
(1) a detailed description of— 
(A) how the entity will address the prior-
ities described in section 6; 
(B) how the entity will ensure that if more 
eligible students seek admission in the program 
of the entity than the program can accommo-
date, eligible students are selected for admission 
through a random selection process which gives 
weight to the priorities described in section 6; 
(C) how the entity will ensure that if more 
participating eligible students seek admission to 
a participating school than the school can ac-
commodate, participating eligible students are 
selected for admission through a random selec-
tion process; 
(D) how the entity will notify parents of el-
igible students of the expanded choice opportu-
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
22:25 Apr 04, 2011
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00007
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H471.PCS
H471
emcdonald on DSK2BSOYB1PROD with BILLS
HR 471 PCS 
nities in order to allow the parents to make in-
formed decisions; 
(E) the activities that the entity will carry 
out to provide parents of eligible students with 
expanded choice opportunities through the 
awarding of scholarships under section 7(a); 
(F) how the entity will determine the 
amount that will be provided to parents under 
section 7(a)(2) for the payment of tuition, fees, 
and transportation expenses, if any; 
(G) how the entity will seek out private el-
ementary schools and secondary schools in the 
District of Columbia to participate in the pro-
gram; 
(H) how the entity will ensure that each 
participating school will meet the reporting and 
other program requirements under this Act; 
(I) how the entity will ensure that partici-
pating schools submit to site visits by the entity 
as determined to be necessary by the entity, ex-
cept that a participating school may not be re-
quired to submit to more than 1 site visit per 
school year; 
(J) how the entity will ensure that partici-
pating schools are financially responsible and 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
22:25 Apr 04, 2011
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00008
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H471.PCS
H471
emcdonald on DSK2BSOYB1PROD with BILLS
HR 471 PCS 
will use the funds received under section 7 ef-
fectively; 
(K) how the entity will address the renewal 
of scholarships to participating eligible stu-
dents, including continued eligibility; and 
(L) how the entity will ensure that a ma-
jority of its voting board members or governing 
organization are residents of the District of Co-
lumbia; and 
(2) an assurance that the entity will comply 
with all requests regarding any evaluation carried 
out under section 9(a). 
SEC. 6. PRIORITIES. 
In awarding grants under section 4(a), the Secretary 
shall give priority to applications from eligible entities that 
will most effectively— 
(1) in awarding scholarships under section 7(a), 
give priority to— 
(A) eligible students who, in the school 
year preceding the school year for which the eli-
gible students are seeking a scholarship, at-
tended an elementary school or secondary 
school identified for improvement, corrective ac-
tion, or restructuring under section 1116 of the 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
22:25 Apr 04, 2011
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00009
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H471.PCS
H471
emcdonald on DSK2BSOYB1PROD with BILLS
HR 471 PCS 
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 
1965 (20 U.S.C. 6316); 
(B) students who have been awarded a 
scholarship in a preceding year under this Act 
or the DC School Choice Incentive Act of 2003 
(sec. 38–1851.01 et seq., D.C. Official Code), 
as such Act was in effect on the day before the 
date of the enactment of this Act, but who have 
not used the scholarship, including eligible stu-
dents who were provided notification of selec-
tion for a scholarship for school year 2009- 
2010, which was later rescinded in accordance 
with direction from the Secretary of Education; 
and 
(C) students whose household includes a 
sibling or other child who is already partici-
pating in the program of the eligible entity 
under this Act, regardless of whether such stu-
dents have, in the past, been assigned as mem-
bers of a control study group for the purposes 
of an evaluation under section 9(a); 
(2) target resources to students and families 
that lack the financial resources to take advantage 
of available educational options; and 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
22:25 Apr 04, 2011
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00010
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H471.PCS
H471
emcdonald on DSK2BSOYB1PROD with BILLS
HR 471 PCS 
(3) provide students and families with the 
widest range of educational options. 
SEC. 7. USE OF FUNDS. 
(a) OPPORTUNITY SCHOLARSHIPS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Subject to paragraphs (2) 
and (3), an eligible entity receiving a grant under 
section 4(a) shall use the grant funds to provide eli-
gible students with scholarships to pay the tuition, 
fees, and transportation expenses, if any, to enable 
the eligible students to attend the District of Colum-
bia private elementary school or secondary school of 
their choice beginning in school year 2011–2012. 
Each such eligible entity shall ensure that the 
amount of any tuition or fees charged by a school 
participating in such entity’s program under this Act 
to an eligible student participating in the program 
does not exceed the amount of tuition or fees that 
the school charges to students who do not partici-
pate in the program. 
(2) PAYMENTS TO PARENTS.—An eligible entity 
receiving a grant under section 4(a) shall make 
scholarship payments under the entity’s program 
under this Act to the parent of the eligible student 
participating in the program, in a manner which en-
sures that such payments will be used for the pay-
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
22:25 Apr 04, 2011
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00011
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H471.PCS
H471
emcdonald on DSK2BSOYB1PROD with BILLS
HR 471 PCS 
ment of tuition, fees, and transportation expenses (if 
any), in accordance with this Act. 
(3) AMOUNT OF ASSISTANCE.— 
(A) VARYING AMOUNTS PERMITTED.—Sub-
ject to the other requirements of this section, 
an eligible entity receiving a grant under sec-
tion 4(a) may award scholarships in larger 
amounts to those eligible students with the 
greatest need. 
(B) ANNUAL LIMIT ON AMOUNT.— 
(i) LIMIT
FOR
SCHOOL
YEAR
2011– 
2012.—The amount of assistance provided 
to any eligible student by an eligible entity 
under the entity’s program under this Act 
for school year 2011–2012 may not ex-
ceed— 
(I) $8,000 for attendance in kin-
dergarten through grade 8; and 
(II) $12,000 for attendance in 
grades 9 through 12. 
(ii) CUMULATIVE INFLATION ADJUST-
MENT.—Beginning the school year fol-
lowing the school year of the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall 
adjust the maximum amounts of assistance 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
22:25 Apr 04, 2011
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00012
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H471.PCS
H471
emcdonald on DSK2BSOYB1PROD with BILLS
HR 471 PCS 
described in clause (i) for inflation, as 
measured by the percentage increase, if 
any, from the preceding fiscal year in the 
Consumer Price Index for All Urban Con-
sumers, published by the Bureau of Labor 
Statistics of the Department of Labor. 
(4) PARTICIPATING SCHOOL REQUIREMENTS.— 
None of the funds provided under this Act for op-
portunity scholarships may be used by an eligible 
student to enroll in a participating private school 
unless the participating school— 
(A) has and maintains a valid certificate of 
occupancy issued by the District of Columbia; 
(B) makes readily available to all prospec-
tive students information on its school accredi-
tation; 
(C) in the case of a school that has been 
operating for 5 years or less, submits to the eli-
gible entity administering the program proof of 
adequate financial resources reflecting the fi-
nancial sustainability of the school and the 
school’s ability to be in operation through the 
school year; 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
22:25 Apr 04, 2011
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00013
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H471.PCS
H471
emcdonald on DSK2BSOYB1PROD with BILLS
HR 471 PCS 
(D) agrees to submit to site visits as deter-
mined to be necessary by the eligible entity pur-
suant to section 5(b)(1)(I); 
(E) has financial systems, controls, poli-
cies, and procedures to ensure that funds are 
used according to this Act; and 
(F) ensures that each teacher of core sub-
ject matter in the school has a baccalaureate 
degree or equivalent degree, whether such de-
gree was awarded in or outside of the United 
States. 
(b) ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES.—An eligible entity 
receiving a grant under section 4(a) may use not more 
than 3 percent of the amount provided under the grant 
each year for the administrative expenses of carrying out 
its program under this Act during the year, including— 
(1) determining the eligibility of students to 
participate; 
(2) selecting eligible students to receive scholar-
ships; 
(3) determining the amount of scholarships and 
issuing the scholarships to eligible students; 
(4) compiling and maintaining financial and 
programmatic records; and 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
22:25 Apr 04, 2011
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00014
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H471.PCS
H471
emcdonald on DSK2BSOYB1PROD with BILLS
HR 471 PCS 
(5) conducting site visits as described in section 
5(b)(1)(I). 
(c) PARENTAL ASSISTANCE.—An eligible entity re-
ceiving a grant under section 4(a) may use not more than 
2 percent of the amount provided under the grant each 
year for the expenses of educating parents about the enti-
ty’s program under this Act, and assisting parents 
through the application process, under this Act, includ-
ing— 
(1) providing information about the program 
and the participating schools to parents of eligible 
students; 
(2) providing funds to assist parents of stu-
dents in meeting expenses that might otherwise pre-
clude the participation of eligible students in the 
program; and 
(3) streamlining the application process for par-
ents. 
(d) STUDENT ACADEMIC ASSISTANCE.—An eligible 
entity receiving a grant under section 4(a) may use not 
more than 1 percent of the amount provided under the 
grant each year for expenses to provide tutoring services 
to participating eligible students that need additional aca-
demic assistance. If there are insufficient funds to provide 
tutoring services to all such students in a year, the eligible 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
22:25 Apr 04, 2011
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00015
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H471.PCS
H471
emcdonald on DSK2BSOYB1PROD with BILLS
HR 471 PCS 
entity shall give priority in such year to students who pre-
viously attended an elementary school or secondary school 
that was identified for improvement, corrective action, or 
restructuring under section 1116 of the Elementary and 
Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6316). 
SEC. 8. NONDISCRIMINATION AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS 
FOR PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—An eligible entity or a school par-
ticipating in any program under this Act shall not dis-
criminate against program participants or applicants on 
the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, or sex. 
(b) APPLICABILITY
AND SINGLE SEX SCHOOLS, 
CLASSES, OR ACTIVITIES.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding any other 
provision of law, the prohibition of sex discrimina-
tion in subsection (a) shall not apply to a partici-
pating school that is operated by, supervised by, con-
trolled by, or connected to a religious organization to 
the extent that the application of subsection (a) is 
inconsistent with the religious tenets or beliefs of the 
school. 
(2) SINGLE SEX SCHOOLS, CLASSES, OR ACTIVI-
TIES.—Notwithstanding subsection (a) or any other 
provision of law, a parent may choose and a school 
may offer a single sex school, class, or activity. 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
22:25 Apr 04, 2011
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00016
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H471.PCS
H471
emcdonald on DSK2BSOYB1PROD with BILLS
HR 471 PCS 
(3) APPLICABILITY.—For purposes of this Act, 
the provisions of section 909 of the Education 
Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. 1688) shall apply 
to this Act as if section 909 of the Education 
Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. 1688) were part of 
this Act. 
(c) CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES.—Nothing in this 
Act may be construed to alter or modify the provisions 
of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 
U.S.C. 1400 et seq.). 
(d) RELIGIOUSLY AFFILIATED SCHOOLS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding any other 
provision of law, a school participating in any pro-
gram under this Act that is operated by, supervised 
by, controlled by, or connected to, a religious organi-
zation may exercise its right in matters of employ-
ment consistent with title VII of the Civil Rights Act 
of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000e–1 et seq.), including the 
exemptions in such title. 
(2) MAINTENANCE
OF
PURPOSE.—Notwith-
standing any other provision of law, funds made 
available under this Act to eligible students, which 
are used at a participating school as a result of their 
parents’ choice, shall not, consistent with the first 
amendment of the Constitution, necessitate any 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
22:25 Apr 04, 2011
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00017
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H471.PCS
H471
emcdonald on DSK2BSOYB1PROD with BILLS
HR 471 PCS 
change in the participating school’s teaching mis-
sion, require any participating school to remove reli-
gious art, icons, scriptures, or other symbols, or pre-
clude any participating school from retaining reli-
gious terms in its name, selecting its board members 
on a religious basis, or including religious references 
in its mission statements and other chartering or 
governing documents. 
(e) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—A scholarship (or any 
other form of support provided to parents of eligible stu-
dents) under this Act shall be considered assistance to the 
student and shall not be considered assistance to the 
school that enrolls the eligible student. The amount of any 
scholarship (or other form of support provided to parents 
of an eligible student) under this Act shall not be treated 
as income of the parents for purposes of Federal tax laws 
or for determining eligibility for any other Federal pro-
gram. 
(f) REQUESTS FOR DATA AND INFORMATION.—Each 
school participating in a program funded under this Act 
shall comply with all requests for data and information 
regarding evaluations conducted under section 9(a). 
(g) RULES OF CONDUCT AND OTHER SCHOOL POLI-
CIES.—A participating school, including the schools de-
scribed in subsection (d), may require eligible students to 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
22:25 Apr 04, 2011
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00018
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H471.PCS
H471
emcdonald on DSK2BSOYB1PROD with BILLS
HR 471 PCS 
abide by any rules of conduct and other requirements ap-
plicable to all other students at the school. 
(h) NATIONALLY NORM-REFERENCED STANDARD-
IZED TESTS.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Each participating school 
shall comply with any testing requirements deter-
mined to be necessary for evaluation under section 
9(a)(2)(A)(i). 
(2) MAKE-UP
SESSION.—If a participating 
school does not administer a nationally norm-ref-
erenced standardized test or the Institute of Edu-
cation Sciences does not receive data on a student 
who is receiving an opportunity scholarship, then the 
Secretary (through the Institute of Education 
Sciences of the Department of Education) shall ad-
minister such test at least one time during a school 
year for each student receiving an opportunity schol-
arship. 
SEC. 9. EVALUATIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.— 
(1) DUTIES
OF
THE
SECRETARY
AND
THE 
MAYOR.—The Secretary and the Mayor of the Dis-
trict of Columbia shall— 
(A) jointly enter into an agreement with 
the Institute of Education Sciences of the De-
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
22:25 Apr 04, 2011
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00019
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H471.PCS
H471
emcdonald on DSK2BSOYB1PROD with BILLS
HR 471 PCS 
partment of Education to evaluate annually the 
performance of students who received scholar-
ships under the 5-year program under this Act; 
(B) jointly enter into an agreement to 
monitor and evaluate the use of funds author-
ized and appropriated for the District of Co-
lumbia public schools and the District of Co-
lumbia public charter schools under this Act; 
and 
(C) make the evaluations described in sub-
paragraphs (A) and (B) public in accordance 
with subsection (c). 
(2) DUTIES
OF
THE
SECRETARY.—The Sec-
retary, through a grant, contract, or cooperative 
agreement, shall— 
(A) ensure that the evaluation under para-
graph (1)(A)— 
(i) is conducted using the strongest 
possible research design for determining 
the effectiveness of the opportunity schol-
arship program under this Act; and 
(ii) addresses the issues described in 
paragraph (4); and 
(B) disseminate information on the impact 
of the program— 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
22:25 Apr 04, 2011
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00020
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H471.PCS
H471
emcdonald on DSK2BSOYB1PROD with BILLS
HR 471 PCS 
(i) in increasing the academic growth 
and achievement of participating eligible 
students; and 
(ii) on students and schools in the 
District of Columbia. 
(3) DUTIES OF THE INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION 
SCIENCES.—The Institute of Education Sciences of 
the Department of Education shall— 
(A) use a grade appropriate, nationally 
norm-referenced standardized test each school 
year to assess participating eligible students; 
(B) measure the academic achievement of 
all participating eligible students; and 
(C) work with the eligible entities to en-
sure that the parents of each student who ap-
plies for a scholarship under this Act (regard-
less of whether the student receives the scholar-
ship) and the parents of each student partici-
pating in the scholarship program under this 
Act, agree that the student will participate in 
the measurements given annually by the Insti-
tute of Educational Sciences for the period for 
which the student applied for or received the 
scholarship, respectively, except that nothing in 
this subparagraph shall affect a student’s pri-
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
22:25 Apr 04, 2011
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00021
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H471.PCS
H471
emcdonald on DSK2BSOYB1PROD with BILLS
HR 471 PCS 
ority for an opportunity scholarship as provided 
under section 6. 
(4) ISSUES TO BE EVALUATED.—The issues to 
be evaluated under paragraph (1)(A) shall include 
the following: 
(A) A comparison of the academic growth 
and achievement of participating eligible stu-
dents in the measurements described in para-
graph (3) to the academic growth and achieve-
ment of the eligible students in the same grades 
who sought to participate in the scholarship 
program under this Act but were not selected. 
(B) The success of the program in expand-
ing choice options for parents of participating 
eligible students, improving parental and stu-
dent satisfaction of such parents and students, 
respectively, and increasing parental involve-
ment of such parents in the education of their 
children. 
(C) The reasons parents of participating 
eligible students choose for their children to 
participate in the program, including important 
characteristics for selecting schools. 
(D) A comparison of the retention rates, 
high school graduation rates, and college admis-
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
22:25 Apr 04, 2011
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00022
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H471.PCS
H471
emcdonald on DSK2BSOYB1PROD with BILLS
HR 471 PCS 
sion rates of participating eligible students with 
the retention rates, high school graduation 
rates, and college admission rates of students of 
similar backgrounds who do not participate in 
such program. 
(E) A comparison of the safety of the 
schools attended by participating eligible stu-
dents and the schools in the District of Colum-
bia attended by students who do not participate 
in the program, based on the perceptions of the 
students and parents. 
(F) Such other issues with respect to par-
ticipating eligible students as the Secretary con-
siders appropriate for inclusion in the evalua-
tion, such as the impact of the program on pub-
lic elementary schools and secondary schools in 
the District of Columbia. 
(G) An analysis of the issues described in 
subparagraphs (A) through (F) by applying 
such subparagraphs by substituting ‘‘the sub-
group of participating eligible students who 
have used each opportunity scholarship awarded 
to such students under this Act to attend a par-
ticipating school’’ for ‘‘participating eligible stu-
dents’’ each place such term appears. 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
22:25 Apr 04, 2011
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00023
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H471.PCS
H471
emcdonald on DSK2BSOYB1PROD with BILLS
HR 471 PCS 
(5) PROHIBITION.—Personally identifiable in-
formation regarding the results of the measurements 
used for the evaluations may not be disclosed, except 
to the parents of the student to whom the informa-
tion relates. 
(b) REPORTS.—The Secretary shall submit to the 
Committees on Appropriations, Education and the Work-
force, and Oversight and Government Reform of the 
House of Representatives and the Committees on Appro-
priations, Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, and 
Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Sen-
ate— 
(1) annual interim reports, not later than April 
1 of the year following the year of the date of enact-
ment of this Act, and each subsequent year through 
the year in which the final report is submitted under 
paragraph (2), on the progress and preliminary re-
sults of the evaluation of the opportunity scholarship 
program funded under this Act; and 
(2) a final report, not later than 1 year after 
the final year for which a grant is made under sec-
tion 4(a), on the results of the evaluation of the pro-
gram. 
(c) PUBLIC AVAILABILITY.—All reports and under-
lying data gathered pursuant to this section shall be made 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
22:25 Apr 04, 2011
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00024
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H471.PCS
H471
emcdonald on DSK2BSOYB1PROD with BILLS
HR 471 PCS 
available to the public upon request, in a timely manner 
following submission of the applicable report under sub-
section (b), except that personally identifiable information 
shall not be disclosed or made available to the public. 
(d) LIMIT ON AMOUNT EXPENDED.—The amount ex-
pended by the Secretary to carry out this section for any 
fiscal year may not exceed 5 percent of the total amount 
appropriated under section 14(a)(1) for the fiscal year. 
SEC. 10. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS. 
(a) ACTIVITIES REPORTS.—Each eligible entity re-
ceiving funds under section 4(a) during a year shall sub-
mit a report to the Secretary not later than July 30 of 
the following year regarding the activities carried out with 
the funds during the preceding year. 
(b) ACHIEVEMENT REPORTS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—In addition to the reports 
required under subsection (a), each eligible entity re-
ceiving funds under section 4(a) shall, not later than 
September 1 of the year during which the second 
school year of the entity’s program is completed and 
each of the next 2 years thereafter, submit to the 
Secretary a report, including any pertinent data col-
lected in the preceding 2 school years, concerning— 
(A) the academic growth and achievement 
of students participating in the program; 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
22:25 Apr 04, 2011
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00025
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H471.PCS
H471
emcdonald on DSK2BSOYB1PROD with BILLS
HR 471 PCS 
(B) the high school graduation and college 
admission rates of students who participate in 
the program, where appropriate; and 
(C) parental satisfaction with the program. 
(2) PROHIBITING
DISCLOSURE
OF
PERSONAL 
INFORMATION.—No report under this subsection 
may contain any personally identifiable information. 
(c) REPORTS TO PARENTS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Each eligible entity receiving 
funds under section 4(a) shall ensure that each 
school participating in the entity’s program under 
this Act during a school year reports at least once 
during the year to the parents of each of the school’s 
students who are participating in the program on— 
(A) the student’s academic achievement, as 
measured by a comparison with the aggregate 
academic achievement of other participating 
students at the student’s school in the same 
grade or level, as appropriate, and the aggre-
gate academic achievement of the student’s 
peers at the student’s school in the same grade 
or level, as appropriate; 
(B) the safety of the school, including the 
incidence of school violence, student suspen-
sions, and student expulsions; and 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
22:25 Apr 04, 2011
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00026
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H471.PCS
H471
emcdonald on DSK2BSOYB1PROD with BILLS
HR 471 PCS 
(C) the accreditation status of the school. 
(2) PROHIBITING
DISCLOSURE
OF
PERSONAL 
INFORMATION.—No report under this subsection 
may contain any personally identifiable information, 
except as to the student who is the subject of the 
report to that student’s parent. 
(d) REPORT
TO
CONGRESS.—Not later than 6 
months after the first appropriation of funds under section 
14, and each succeeding year thereafter, the Secretary 
shall submit to the Committees on Appropriations, Edu-
cation and the Workforce, and Oversight and Government 
Reform of the House of Representatives and the Commit-
tees on Appropriations, Health, Education, Labor, and 
Pensions, and Homeland Security and Governmental Af-
fairs of the Senate, an annual report on the findings of 
the reports submitted under subsections (a) and (b). 
SEC. 11. DC PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND DC PUBLIC CHARTER 
SCHOOLS. 
(a) CONDITION OF RECEIPT OF FUNDS.—As a condi-
tion of receiving funds under this Act on behalf of the 
District of Columbia public schools and the District of Co-
lumbia public charter schools, the Mayor shall agree to 
carry out the following: 
(1) INFORMATION REQUESTS.—Ensure that all 
the District of Columbia public schools and the Dis-
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
22:25 Apr 04, 2011
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00027
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H471.PCS
H471
emcdonald on DSK2BSOYB1PROD with BILLS
HR 471 PCS 
trict of Columbia public charter schools comply with 
all reasonable requests for information for purposes 
of the evaluation under section 9(a). 
(2) AGREEMENT
WITH
THE
SECRETARY.— 
Enter into the agreement described in section 
9(a)(1)(B) to monitor and evaluate the use of funds 
authorized and appropriated for the District of Co-
lumbia public schools and the District of Columbia 
public charter schools under this Act. 
(3) SUBMISSION OF REPORT.—Not later than 6 
months after the first appropriation of funds under 
section 14, and each succeeding year thereafter, sub-
mit to the Committee on Appropriations, the Com-
mittee on Education and the Workforce, and the 
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform of 
the House of Representatives, and the Committee on 
Appropriations, the Committee on Health, Edu-
cation, Labor, and Pensions, and the Committee on 
Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the 
Senate, information on— 
(A) how the funds authorized and appro-
priated under this Act for the District of Co-
lumbia public schools and the District of Co-
lumbia public charter schools were used in the 
preceding school year; and 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
22:25 Apr 04, 2011
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00028
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H471.PCS
H471
emcdonald on DSK2BSOYB1PROD with BILLS
HR 471 PCS 
(B) how such funds are contributing to 
student achievement. 
(b) ENFORCEMENT.—If, after reasonable notice and 
an opportunity for a hearing for the Mayor, the Secretary 
determines that the Mayor has not been in compliance 
with 1 or more of the requirements described in subsection 
(a), the Secretary may withhold from the Mayor, in whole 
or in part, further funds under this Act for the District 
of Columbia public schools and the District of Columbia 
public charter schools. 
(c) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this sec-
tion shall be construed to reduce, or otherwise affect, 
funding provided under this Act for the opportunity schol-
arship program under this Act. 
SEC. 12. TRANSITION PROVISIONS. 
(a) REPEAL.—The DC School Choice Incentive Act 
of 2003 (sec. 38–1851.01 et seq., D.C. Official Code) is 
repealed. 
(b) SPECIAL RULES.—Notwithstanding any other 
provision of law— 
(1) funding appropriated to provide opportunity 
scholarships for students in the District of Columbia 
under the heading ‘‘Federal Payment for School Im-
provement’’ in title IV of division D of the Omnibus 
Appropriations Act, 2009 (Public Law 111–8; 123 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
22:25 Apr 04, 2011
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00029
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H471.PCS
H471
emcdonald on DSK2BSOYB1PROD with BILLS
HR 471 PCS 
Stat. 653), the heading ‘‘Federal Payment for 
School Improvement’’ in title IV of division C of the 
Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2010 (Public Law 
111–117; 123 Stat. 3181), or any other Act, may be 
used to provide opportunity scholarships under sec-
tion 7(a) for the 2011–2012 school year to students 
who have not previously received such scholarships; 
(2) the fourth and fifth provisos under the 
heading ‘‘Federal Payment for School Improvement’’ 
of title IV of Division C of the Consolidated Appro-
priations Act, 2010 (Public Law 111–117; 123 Stat. 
3181) shall not apply; and 
(3) any unobligated amounts reserved to carry 
out the provisos described in paragraph (2) shall be 
made available to an eligible entity receiving a grant 
under section 4(a)— 
(A) for administrative expenses described 
in section 7(b); or 
(B) to provide opportunity scholarships 
under section 7(a), including to provide such 
scholarships for the 2011–2012 school year to 
students who have not previously received such 
scholarships. 
(c) MULTIYEAR AWARDS.—The recipient of a grant 
or contract under the DC School Choice Incentive Act of 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
22:25 Apr 04, 2011
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00030
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H471.PCS
H471
emcdonald on DSK2BSOYB1PROD with BILLS
HR 471 PCS 
2003 (sec. 38–1851.01 et seq., D.C. Official Code), as 
such Act was in effect on the day before the date of the 
enactment of this Act, shall continue to receive funds in 
accordance with the terms and conditions of such grant 
or contract, except that— 
(1) the provisos relating to opportunity scholar-
ships in the Acts described in subsection (b)(1) shall 
not apply; and 
(2) the memorandum of understanding de-
scribed in subsection (d), including any revision 
made under such subsection, shall apply. 
(d) MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING.—The Sec-
retary and the Mayor of the District of Columbia shall 
revise the memorandum of understanding entered into 
under the DC School Choice Incentive Act of 2003 (sec. 
38–1851.01 et seq., D.C. Official Code), as such Act was 
in effect on the day before the date of the enactment of 
this Act, to address— 
(1) the implementation of the opportunity 
scholarship program under this Act; and 
(2) how the Mayor will ensure that the District 
of Columbia public schools and the District of Co-
lumbia public charter schools comply with all the 
reasonable requests for information as necessary to 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
22:25 Apr 04, 2011
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00031
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H471.PCS
H471
emcdonald on DSK2BSOYB1PROD with BILLS
HR 471 PCS 
fulfill the requirements for evaluations conducted 
under section 9(a). 
(e) ORDERLY TRANSITION.—Subject to subsections 
(c) and (d), the Secretary shall take such steps as the Sec-
retary determines to be appropriate to provide for the or-
derly transition to the authority of this Act from any au-
thority under the provisions of the DC School Choice In-
centive Act of 2003 (sec. 38–1851.01 et seq., D.C. Official 
Code), as such Act was in effect on the day before the 
date of enactment of this Act. 
SEC. 13. DEFINITIONS. 
As used in this Act: 
(1) ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.—The term ‘‘elemen-
tary school’’ means an institutional day or residen-
tial school, including a public elementary charter 
school, that provides elementary education, as deter-
mined under District of Columbia law. 
(2) ELIGIBLE ENTITY.—The term ‘‘eligible enti-
ty’’ means any of the following: 
(A) A nonprofit organization. 
(B) A consortium of nonprofit organiza-
tions. 
(3) ELIGIBLE
STUDENT.—The term ‘‘eligible 
student’’ means a student who is a resident of the 
District of Columbia and comes from a household— 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
22:25 Apr 04, 2011
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00032
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H471.PCS
H471
emcdonald on DSK2BSOYB1PROD with BILLS
HR 471 PCS 
(A) receiving assistance under the supple-
mental nutrition assistance program established 
under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 
U.S.C. 2011 et seq.); or 
(B) whose income does not exceed— 
(i) 185 percent of the poverty line; or 
(ii) in the case of a student partici-
pating in the opportunity scholarship pro-
gram in the preceding year under this Act 
or the DC School Choice Incentive Act of 
2003 (sec. 38–1851.01 et seq., D.C. Offi-
cial Code), as such Act was in effect on the 
day before the date of enactment of this 
Act, 300 percent of the poverty line. 
(4) MAYOR.—The term ‘‘Mayor’’ means the 
Mayor of the District of Columbia. 
(5) PARENT.—The term ‘‘parent’’ has the 
meaning given that term in section 9101 of the Ele-
mentary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 
U.S.C. 7801). 
(6) PARTICIPATING ELIGIBLE STUDENT.—The 
term ‘‘participating eligible student’’ means an eligi-
ble student awarded an opportunity scholarship 
under this Act, without regard to whether the stu-
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
22:25 Apr 04, 2011
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00033
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H471.PCS
H471
emcdonald on DSK2BSOYB1PROD with BILLS
HR 471 PCS 
dent uses the scholarship to attend a participating 
school. 
(7) PARTICIPATING SCHOOL.—The term ‘‘par-
ticipating school’’ means a private elementary school 
or secondary school participating in the opportunity 
scholarship program of an eligible entity under this 
Act. 
(8) POVERTY LINE.—The term ‘‘poverty line’’ 
has the meaning given that term in section 9101 of 
the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 
1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801). 
(9) SECONDARY
SCHOOL.—The term ‘‘sec-
ondary school’’ means an institutional day or resi-
dential school, including a public secondary charter 
school, that provides secondary education, as deter-
mined under District of Columbia law, except that 
the term does not include any education beyond 
grade 12. 
(10) 
SECRETARY.—The 
term 
‘‘Secretary’’ 
means the Secretary of Education. 
SEC. 14. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—There are authorized to be appro-
priated $60,000,000 for fiscal year 2012 and for each of 
the 4 succeeding fiscal years, of which— 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
22:25 Apr 04, 2011
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00034
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H471.PCS
H471
emcdonald on DSK2BSOYB1PROD with BILLS
HR 471 PCS 
(1) one-third shall be made available to carry 
out the opportunity scholarship program under this 
Act for each fiscal year; 
(2) one-third shall be made available to carry 
out section 4(b)(1) for each fiscal year; and 
(3) one-third shall be made available to carry 
out section 4(b)(2) for each fiscal year. 
(b) APPORTIONMENT.—If the total amount of funds 
appropriated under subsection (a) for a fiscal year does 
not equal $60,000,000, the funds shall be apportioned in 
the manner described in subsection (a) for such fiscal 
year. 
Passed the House of Representatives March 30, 
2011. 
Attest: 
KAREN L. HAAS, 
Clerk. 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
22:25 Apr 04, 2011
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00035
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H471.PCS
H471
emcdonald on DSK2BSOYB1PROD with BILLS
Calendar No. 24 
112TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. R. 471 
AN ACT 
To reauthorize the DC opportunity scholarship 
program, and for other purposes. 
APRIL 4, 2011 
Read the second time and placed on the calendar 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
22:25 Apr 04, 2011
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00036
Fmt 6651
Sfmt 6651
E:\BILLS\H471.PCS
H471
emcdonald on DSK2BSOYB1PROD with BILLS