HR5181-119

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the SOAR Act Improvements Act.

2. Grant duration and Applications Section 3004(a)(2) of the Scholarships for Opportunity and Results Act (sec. 38–1853.04(a)(2), D.C. Official Code) is amended by striking 5 years and inserting 5 years, and may renew such grants for an additional period of not more than 5 years, without a competitive process, when the Secretary determines appropriate and desirable to maintain continuity in the program. Section 3005(b)(1)(C) of such Act (sec. 38–1853.05(b)(1)(C), D.C. Official Code) is amended by striking the semicolon at the end and inserting , if such a process will not interfere with the regular admission standards or procedures of the school;. Section 3005(b)(1)(M) of such Act (sec. 38–1853.05(b)(1)(M), D.C. Official Code) is amended by striking District of Columbia and inserting Washington metropolitan region. Section 3013 of such Act (sec. 38–1853.13, D.C. Official Code) is amended by adding at the end the following: The term Washington metropolitan region includes the District of Columbia, the counties of Montgomery and Prince Georges in Maryland, and the counties of Arlington and Fairfax and the cities of Alexandria and Falls Church in Virginia. (12) Washington metropolitan region The term Washington metropolitan region includes the District of Columbia, the counties of Montgomery and Prince Georges in Maryland, and the counties of Arlington and Fairfax and the cities of Alexandria and Falls Church in Virginia. .

3. Accreditation requirements Section 3007(a)(5)(A) of the Scholarships for Opportunity and Results Act (sec. 38–1853.07(a)(5)(A), D.C. Official Code) is amended— by amending clause (i) to read as follows: in the case of a school that is a participating school as of the date of enactment of the SOAR Act Improvements Act, is recognized by— a national or regional accrediting body; or an accrediting body sited by the Student and Visitor Exchange English Language Program administered by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement; and by amending clause (ii) to read as follows: in the case of a school that is not a participating school as of the date of enactment of the SOAR Act Improvements Act, is fully accredited by an accrediting body described under clause (i) not later than 5 years after the date on which that school began the process of pursuing participation under this division. Section 3007(a)(5) of such Act (sec. 38–1853.07(a)(5), D.C. Official Code) is further amended by striking subparagraph (B) and redesignating subparagraph (C) as subparagraph (B). (i) in the case of a school that is a participating school as of the date of enactment of the SOAR Act Improvements Act, is recognized by— (I) a national or regional accrediting body; or (II) an accrediting body sited by the Student and Visitor Exchange English Language Program administered by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement; and ; and (ii) in the case of a school that is not a participating school as of the date of enactment of the SOAR Act Improvements Act, is fully accredited by an accrediting body described under clause (i) not later than 5 years after the date on which that school began the process of pursuing participation under this division. .

5. Standardized testing requirements Section 3008(h) of the Scholarships for Opportunity and Results Act (sec. 38–1853.08(h), D.C. Official Code) is amended— in paragraph (1), by striking section 3009(a)(2)(A)(i) and inserting section 3009(a); by amending paragraph (2) to read as follows: The Institute of Education Sciences may administer assessments to students participating in the evaluation under section 3009(a) for the purpose of conducting the evaluation under such section. in paragraph (3), by striking the nationally norm-referenced standardized test described in paragraph (2) and inserting a nationally norm-referenced standardized test. (2)Administration of testsThe Institute of Education Sciences may administer assessments to students participating in the evaluation under section 3009(a) for the purpose of conducting the evaluation under such section.; and

6. Evaluations Section 3009(a)(1)(A) of the Scholarships for Opportunity and Results Act (sec. 38–1853.09(a)(1)(A), D.C. Official Code) is amended to read as follows: jointly enter into an agreement with the Institute of Education Sciences of the Department of Education to— conduct an evaluation of the opportunity scholarship program under this division; and not later than January 1, 2027, and every 7 years thereafter, issue a public report on the opportunity scholarship program under this division. Section 3009(a)(2)(A)(i) of such Act (sec. 38–1853.09(a)(2)(A)(i), D.C. Official Code) is amended to read as follows: is rigorous; and Section 3009(a)(2)(B) of such Act (sec. 38–1853.09(a)(2)(B), D.C. Official Code) is amended to read as follows: disseminate information on the impact of the program on academic progress and educational attainment. Section 3009(a)(3) of such Act (sec. 38–1853.09(a)(3), D.C. Official Code) is amended— by amending subparagraph (A) to read as follows: assess the academic progress of participating eligible students who use an opportunity scholarship in each of grades 3 through 8; by striking subparagraph (B) and redesignating subparagraph (C) as subparagraph (B). Section 3009(a)(3) of such Act (sec. 38–1853.09(a)(3), D.C. Official Code) is further amended in the heading, by striking on Education and inserting of Education. Section 3009(a)(4) of such Act (sec. 38–1853.09(a)(4), D.C. Official Code) is amended— by amending subparagraph (A) to read as follows: The academic progress of participating eligible students who use an opportunity scholarship compared to the academic progress of a comparison group of students with similar backgrounds, which may include students in the District of Columbia public schools and the District of Columbia public charter schools. in subparagraph (B), by striking increasing the satisfaction of such parents and students with their choice and inserting the satisfaction of those parents and students with the program; by amending subparagraph (D) to read as follows: The high school graduation rates, college enrollment rates, college persistence rates, and college graduation rates of participating eligible students who use an opportunity scholarship compared with the rates of public school students described in subparagraph (A), to the extent practicable. by amending subparagraph (E) to read as follows: The safety of the schools attended by participating eligible students who use an opportunity scholarship compared with the schools attended by public school students described in subparagraph (A), to the extent practicable. by striking subparagraphs (F) and (G); and by redesignating subparagraph (H) as subparagraph (F). The amendments made by this section shall apply with respect to evaluations carried out on or after the expiration of the 2-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act. (A) jointly enter into an agreement with the Institute of Education Sciences of the Department of Education to— (i) conduct an evaluation of the opportunity scholarship program under this division; and (ii) not later than January 1, 2027, and every 7 years thereafter, issue a public report on the opportunity scholarship program under this division. . (i) is rigorous; and . (B) disseminate information on the impact of the program on academic progress and educational attainment. . (A) assess the academic progress of participating eligible students who use an opportunity scholarship in each of grades 3 through 8; ; and (A) The academic progress of participating eligible students who use an opportunity scholarship compared to the academic progress of a comparison group of students with similar backgrounds, which may include students in the District of Columbia public schools and the District of Columbia public charter schools. ; (D) The high school graduation rates, college enrollment rates, college persistence rates, and college graduation rates of participating eligible students who use an opportunity scholarship compared with the rates of public school students described in subparagraph (A), to the extent practicable. ; (E) The safety of the schools attended by participating eligible students who use an opportunity scholarship compared with the schools attended by public school students described in subparagraph (A), to the extent practicable. ;

7. Report by entity receiving funds Section 3010 of the Scholarships for Opportunity and Results Act (sec. 38–1853.10, D.C. Official Code) is amended— in subsection (b)(1)— by striking subparagraph (A); and by redesignating subparagraphs (B) and (C) as subparagraphs (A) and (B), respectively; and in subsection (c)(1)— in subparagraph (A), by striking aggregate academic achievement of other participating students at the student’s school in the same grade or level, as appropriate, and the; and by amending subparagraph (B) to read as follows: any incidents of school violence, student suspensions, and student expulsions; and The amendments made this section shall apply with respect to reports submitted for school years beginning on or after the date of the enactment of this Act. (B) any incidents of school violence, student suspensions, and student expulsions; and .

8. Extension of authorization of appropriation Section 3014 of the Scholarships for Opportunity and Results Act (sec. 38–1853.14, D.C. Official Code) is amended in subsection (a)— in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking through fiscal year 2023 and inserting through fiscal year 2032; in paragraph (1), by striking one-third and inserting one-half; and in paragraph (2), by striking one-third and inserting one-sixth. The amendments made by this section shall apply beginning with respect to fiscal year 2024.