Bill · H.R. 5181· House(119-HR-5181)
SOAR Act Improvements Act
- Introduced
- 9/8/2025
- Last activity
- 9/10/2025 — Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 25 - 20.
- Sponsored by
- Virginia Foxx
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 0
- Introduced
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "SOAR Act Improvements Act," seeks to amend the existing Scholarships for Opportunity and Results Act. The legislation focuses on improving the school choice scholarship program for students in the District of Columbia. It proposes changes to grant durations, application contents, and accreditation requirements for participating schools. Additionally, the bill adjusts how funds can be used for pre-kindergarten and academic assistance. It also modifies the evaluation processes and standardized testing requirements for the program. Finally, it extends the authorization of appropriations through fiscal year 2032.
Yes· 3 of 7
Does this make it easier to use public money at a school other than the local one?+6
The bill improves school choice by allowing funds to be used for pre-kindergarten and providing for tutoring services.
Would children be better off under this?+5
The bill expands educational support to include pre-kindergarten and academic tutoring.
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?+5
The bill provides priority for tutoring funds to students coming from low-performing schools.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Program Continuity: The bill allows for the renewal of grants for up to an additional 5 years without a competitive process if the Secretary determines it is appropriate for maintaining program continuity (Section 2(a)).
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Expanded School Board Eligibility: The residency requirement for eligible entity board members is expanded from just the District of Columbia to include the "Washington metropolitan region," which encompasses parts of Maryland and Virginia (Section 2(b)(2)(A)).
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Educational Flexibility: Funds can now be used for pre-kindergarten, expanding the scope of available educational support (Section 4(a)).
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Academic Support: The bill provides for the use of funds for tutoring services to assist participating students who need additional academic help (Section 4(c)(1)(A)).
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Targeted Assistance: In cases where tutoring funds are limited, priority is given to students who previously attended low-performing elementary or secondary schools (Section 4(c)(1)(A)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Admissions Restrictions: Changes to application content specify that processes should not interfere with the regular admission standards or procedures of a school (Section 2(b)(1)).
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Scholarship Caps: Eligible entities are granted the sole authority to establish a maximum scholarship amount that is less than the previously permitted amount (Section 4(b)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Children+5Good For Low Income Households+5Good For Students+5Good For Young Adults+3
- Education And Technology
- Improves School Choice+6
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Fiscal Responsibility+1
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Affordable Housing+1
- 9/10/2025
- Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 25 - 20.
- 9/9/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/8/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Clay HigginsRepublican · Louisiana