Only 55% of Students Graduate in this School System…What Is Being Done About it?

Washing DC public schools are ranked 51st in the nation.  Only 14% of students are proficient in reading by the 8th grade, and only 55% graduate high school.  Because the schools were failing, the Opportunity Scholarship Program was initiated which gave 3300 low income students a scholarship to attend a private school and to escape the failing DC public education system.  The results from this voucher program were astounding.  Ninety-one percent of the low income students graduated who obtained a voucher as compared to the 55% of students who attended the DC public schools.  Sadly, although the program had amazing success, Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL)  in 2009 decided against allowing any new students into the program.  President Obama was also not in favor of giving funds to this program and claimed the scholarship had not shown successful results.  To read more about this …http://blog.heritage.org/2011/03/31/morning-bell-an-opportunity-to-throw-kids-a-lifeline/