Obama Compromises On End To D.C. School Vouchers

In the Omnibus Appropriations Act passed by Congress in March and signed by the President, Congress effectively eliminated the controversial D.C. Opportunity Scholarship school voucher program after next year. Over half of the students receiving vouchers attend religious-- mostly Roman Catholic-- schools. (See prior posting.) The Washington Post reported on Thursday, however, that President Obama is now supporting a compromise with supporters of the voucher program. He will ask Congress to appropriate funds so that all 1,716 children currently in the District's voucher program will continue receiving grants until they graduate high school. However no new participants will be added. Sunday's Washington Post carries assessments from 15 political and education experts on Obama's decision.