D.C. School Vouchers To Continue For Another Year Under Agreement Between Administration and Congressional Backers

The New York Times reported earlier this week that the school voucher program for Washington, D.C. school children will be renewed for another year under an agreement that House Speaker John Boehner and Senator Joseph Lieberman have reached with the Department of Education.  While the voucher program was authorized for 5 more years in compromise legislation signed last year, President Obama's budget originally did not seek appropriations for the program this year. Education Secretary Arne Duncan announced Monday however an agreement to "grow the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program from the current enrollment of about 1,615 to approximately 1,700 students for the coming year to allow for a statistically valid evaluation of the program, as directed by Congress.” He added though that "Beyond that commitment ... we remain convinced that our time and resources are best spent on reforming the public school system to benefit all students...." The voucher program provides up to $8,000 a year for students in grades K-8 and $12,000 for high schoolers to attend private or parochial schools. [Thanks to Blog from the Capital for the lead.]