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September 9, 2003—U.S. Representative Trent Franks, longtime school choice proponent, voted in favor of the successful Davis/Frelinghuysen/Boehner Amendment to the D.C. Appropriations Act, HR 2765. This amendment authorizes $10 million for fiscal year 2004 in federal funding to our nation’s capital, to provide individual students up to $7,500 annually in need-based scholarship funds for tuition, fees, and transportation at the D.C. private school of their parent’s choice. The Amendment passed with a vote of 209 to 208.
“This victory marks a crucial step toward securing a brighter future for the children in our nation’s capital,” Franks said. “D.C. parents will now be given the choices they have waited so long for--and the choices they deserve--when it comes to decisions about their own children’s education.”
Under this amendment, priority would be given to low-income students in low-performing schools, as identified by the No Child Left Behind Act. Eligible students would have to be D.C. residents, and their family income could not exceed 185% of the federal poverty level. Participating schools could not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, or sex. However, religious schools could maintain their character through their hiring practices, and parents could still choose schools that offer single-sex classes.
“The average cost to educate a student at public school in the District of Columbia is approximately $12,000. This amendment will give children a chance for a better education for far less money.”
In 1997 Congressman Franks authored the Arizona Scholarship Tax Credit, now the largest school choice program in the nation. Arizona taxpayers made over 50,000 donations in 2002. These donations have funded over 20,000 scholarships for children throughout the state.
“Families in the District have waited far too long for these essential reforms--reforms that can make a monumental difference in the life of a child. All children deserve the best education possible and in passing the Davis Amendment, Congress has opened the door to provide new hope to D.C. children.”
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