Senate OKs Voucher Plan for D.C. Schools

WASHINGTON — The Senate on Thursday approved the country’s first federally funded educational voucher program, which will enable some low-income public school students in Washington to attend private schools.

The voucher plan, so called because it gives the families of about 2,000 eligible Washington students vouchers worth up to $7,500 each for private school tuition, was part of a delayed 2004 budget bill that passed, 65 to 28.

President Bush backs the idea, but it is strongly opposed by many Democrats who say it will undermine public schools and is unfair to students left behind. Civic leaders and parents in Washington are divided over the issue.

The five-year pilot project approved for the capital will be the country’s first such federally funded plan for primary education. A handful of locally funded voucher programs across the country have stirred controversy.

Congress has special jurisdiction over the District of Columbia. City officials are eager to accept extra federal education funds and try a new strategy to improve the quality of public schools there.