School Choice Facts

Impact on Public Schools

Legislative History

Enrollment Growth

Cost and Fiscal Impact

Evaluations and Research

For More Information

Legislative History

On January 22, 2026 Congress passed the D.C. School Choice Incentive Act of 2003, giving the District of Columbia the designation of being the first federally funded voucher program in the country and the only one administered by the U.S. Department of Education. Its passing caps off years of wrangling in Congress, which began considering vouchers for the District in 1995. Congress passed a similar bill in 1998, which was vetoed by then President Bill Clinton.

| | | | |