S. 3710: SOAR Permanent Authorization Act

The "SOAR Permanent Authorization Act" aims to amend the existing Scholarships for Opportunity and Results Act (SOAR Act) in several ways, focused mainly on the continuation and enhancement of scholarship programs for students in the District of Columbia. Below are the key provisions and changes proposed by the bill:

Grant Duration and Applications

• The bill extends the duration of grants up to 10 years without requiring a competitive process if deemed necessary by the Secretary.
• Changes the residency requirements for board members of eligible entities from being limited to the District of Columbia to including the broader Washington metropolitan region.

Accreditation Requirements

• Schools participating in the program must be accredited by recognized accrediting bodies.
• New schools must achieve full accreditation within 5 years of starting the process to participate in the program.

Use of Funds

• Funds can now be used for pre-kindergarten education in addition to existing uses.
• The bill allows eligible entities to set their own maximum scholarship amounts.
• Funds can be utilized for student tutoring services, prioritizing students from low-performing schools if there are insufficient resources.
• Increases the maximum allowable funds for the program from $2 million to $2.2 million.

Standardized Testing Requirements

The Institute of Education Sciences will be tasked with administering assessments to evaluate the scholarship program’s effectiveness, ensuring that testing aligns with established standards.

Evaluations

• The frequency of evaluations will be modified, replacing previous timelines with a requirement for evaluations every 7 years, starting in 2028.
• The Secretary will ensure evaluation methods are rigorous and relevant information on program impacts is publicly disseminated.
• The evaluations will assess various metrics, including academic progress and graduation rates of participating students compared to public school peers.

Reports by Fund-Receiving Entities

• The content of mandatory reports will change, focusing more on academic progress and incidents of violence, suspensions, and expulsions in schools.

Extension of Authorization of Appropriation

• The bill proposes an increase in the authorized appropriation for the program from $60 million to $75 million annually, starting in fiscal year 2027.

Effective Dates

The changes and enhancements introduced by this bill will apply two years after its enactment. Specific provisions related to funding and reports will begin with school years following the bill's approval.

Relevant Companies

• None found