Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) and Senator Joe Lieberman (I-CT) announced that they have reached a deal with the Obama administration to expand the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program.

Slated for elimination over the past three years, this new agreement not only preserves the program for students already receiving scholarships, but it also removes the cap on the number of scholarships available for needy D.C. public school children.

Now, all low income D.C. children and their families may choose to remain in their public schools or use an Opportunity Scholarship to attend the private or parochial school that best meets their needs.

The Hill, a newspaper that reports on Capitol Hill quoted Senator Lieberman as saying that the D.C. Scholarships are a "lifeline for many needy children."

The full story is found here: http://thehill.com/homenews/house/233217-boehner-announces-deal-to-renew-district-school-voucher-program 

Two reports from the federal study of the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship can be found here: 

http://ies.ed.gov/ncee/pubs/20094050/pdf/20094050.pdf

http://heartland.org/sites/all/modules/custom/heartland_migration/files/pdfs/27875.pdf

The largest benefits from the D.C. Opportunity Scholarships appear to be increased high school graduation, higher parental satisfaction regarding school climate and safety, and much lower taxpayer costs.