D.C. Vouchers Work: Obama's Federal 'What Works' Office Says D.C. Voucher Research is Valid

Is President Obama Listening?

WASHINGTON, Feb. 24 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- D.C. Parents for School Choice today released the following statement:

"An Obama administration release today confirms that research proving the academic effectiveness of the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program -- the very program that the Obama administration is intent on killing -- is scientifically sound. Tellingly, today's release comes from a branch of the U.S. Department of Education called the 'What Works Clearinghouse,' and -- not surprisingly -- the review validated existing research demonstrating that the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program is, in fact, working!

"The WWC's quick review of the federal evaluation of the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program after three years found that the research contained in the evaluation was consistent with federal standards that define 'what works' in education. We agree. The OSP, which offers vouchers to children in families with an average annual income of less than $24,000 per year so they can attend private schools in Washington, D.C., is a sterling example of funding what works in education.

"The evaluation of the program shows that students who were offered vouchers to attend private schools scored higher on reading tests compared to students who were not offered vouchers.  These gains were equal to three months of additional learning. Moreover, of the 11 studies to come out of DOE's Institute for Education Sciences, the OSP is one of only three programs to show positive results, and showed by far the biggest achievement gains.

"In addition to the IES evaluation, four consecutive studies from Georgetown University and the University of Arkansas have shown overwhelming parental satisfaction with the OSP and that low-income parents have become astute educational consumers. The most recent polling shows 75 percent of District residents support the program, and it is supported by locally elected leaders, including D.C. Public Schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee. 

"It is sadly ironic that in a nation that funds hundreds, if not thousands, of ineffective or unaccountable federal programs, President Obama is eliminating a federal education program that has proven to work exceptionally well for children, parents, and taxpayers.  It is even more ludicrous that the President who promised to 'fund what works' in education is killing a program that the 'what works' division of his own Department of Education validates as a success. The Obama administration’s education policies offer no hope whatsoever for low-income children who live mere blocks from the White House.”

SOURCE D.C. Parents for School Choice