DC residents like DC scholarships

Patrick Gibbons

Democrats in Washington have all but killed the DC Opportunity Scholarship program, a voucher that awards scholarships of up to $7,500 to low-income students, allowing them to attend private schools. Unless Congress overturns its recent decision, the program will die by suffocation – the Democrats are not allowing new participants.

But how do DC residents feel about the program?

According to a recent survey, “Fork in the Road: Where does the district go in education?” by the Friedman Foundation, there is clear support for D.C. Opportunity Scholarships:

  • 74 percent have a favorable view of the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program

  • 79 percent of parents of school age children oppose ending the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program

  • 74 percent have a favorable view of public charter schools

  • 76 percent of respondents viewed the public education system as “poor” or “fair.”

Interestingly, only 47 percent of respondents say they prefer a private school over other school types. Still, there is overwhelming support for both public and private educational options.