Today, the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America called upon members of the House Appropriations Committee to support refunding the DC Student Opportunity Scholarship Program for at least another fiscal year.

The DC Student Opportunity Scholarship Program was originally passed by Congress in 2004 to provide a pilot program for low-income DC residents wishing to receive a private school education. Since implementation, this program has benefited thousands of students and provided generous scholarships of $7500 for tuition and fees. A funding renewal has been endorsed by Mayor Adrian Fenty, the Washington Post, and the Washington Times. Yesterday, the House Appropriations Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee voted in favor of an additional year of funding thanks to the support of Chairman Jose Serrano. Passing this funding in the full Appropriations Committee will send a clear message to Congress that the 1900 students benefiting from this program deserve more time.

Nathan Diament, the Union’s Director of Public Policy stated:

It has long been a Jewish teaching that parents are responsible for the education of their children. The DC Student Opportunity Scholarship Program reflects this teaching by providing parents with an option other than the failing Washington public school system. We applaud the leadership of Chairman Serrano who has chosen to listen to the parents and families that are positively benefiting from this program. We call upon the full Appropriations Committee to follow Chairman Serrano’s lead and support a parent’s right to choose the best education and atmosphere for their child.

(YWN Desk)