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WASHINGTON, July 30 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On the heels of a poll finding that nearly three quarters of DC residents support district wide school reforms, which include performance-based rewards for successful teachers, school choices and shutting failing schools, a tri-partisan coalition of US Senators, backed by a majority of the DC City Council and former city leaders, today introduced the Scholarships For Opportunity and Results Act (SOAR), which would renew and expand the DC Opportunity Scholarship Program for more students and provide more resources for both DC public school reform efforts and public charter schools.

Calling on the President and Congress to look the parents and children in the eye for whom this program has been a lifeline, lead Senate sponsor Joe Lieberman (I-CT) promised, "We will not give up. We're not going to stop until we win." He is joined in sponsorship by Senators Susan Collins (R-ME), Diane Feinstein (D-CA), Robert Byrd (D-WV), George Voinovich (R-OH) and John Ensign (R-NV).

"The President says that no kid should have to attend a failing school," said former DC City Councilman Kevin Chavous, a Distinguished Fellow at the Center for Education Reform and prominent national attorney. "The only message I have for the Administration which I support dearly is, it is time to put up or shut up."

The press conference was filled with DC students and parents who praised the Members of Congress as they listened to their remarks. Because of language passed in last year's budget bill, the program will only be available for students currently in the program through their graduation.

More than 200 new students already granted scholarships saw them suspended by the Department of Education this past spring.

"This choice program is simply the only opportunity many of the District's poorest children have to secure a good future," said CER president Jeanne Allen. "If this Administration is truly serious about a race to the top, they must reject special interest pressure and do what's right for kids."

The Center for Education Reform drives the creation of better educational opportunities for all children. CER changes laws, minds and cultures to allow good schools to flourish. CER is a sponsor of Save Opportunity! (www.saveopportunity.org), a grassroots effort to mobilize DC citizens, among whom a majority support programs like this.