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119-s-3710119th CongressWALLET

SOAR Permanent Authorization Act

Sponsored By: Senator Johnson, Ron [R-WI]

Introduced

Summary

This bill would permanently authorize and expand the SOAR scholarship program, extending grant terms, widening regional governance, adding pre-kindergarten and tutoring as allowable uses, and raising annual funding.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

More SOAR funding and stability

If enacted, the SOAR program's authorized funding would be set at $75,000,000 each year starting in fiscal year 2027. This is a change to the authorization level and not a direct appropriation. The bill would also increase a specified program activity amount from $2,000,000 to $2,200,000. Grants would run for 5 years and the Secretary could renew a grant once for up to 5 more years without a new competition.

Stronger evaluation and school safety reports

If enacted, the Secretary would contract with the Institute of Education Sciences to evaluate SOAR and publish a public report by January 1, 2028, and every 7 years after. Evaluations would compare participating students with a similar group and assess academic progress, high school and college outcomes, and school safety. Reports from grant recipients for school years after enactment would have to include incidents of school violence, suspensions, and expulsions.

New school participation and governance rules

If enacted, eligible entity board members could live in the defined Washington metropolitan region rather than only in the District of Columbia. The bill would require admissions-related changes described in grant applications not to interfere with a school's regular admission standards. Schools already in the program must be recognized by a national, regional, or certain federal English-language accreditor. New schools would need full accreditation within five years of starting the participation process.

Scholarship, pre-K, and tutoring rules

If enacted, SOAR grant money could be used to pay for pre-kindergarten as well as other grades. Grant recipients would be able to set a maximum scholarship amount that is lower than the statutory cap in any year. The bill would add tutoring and academic assistance as an allowable use of funds and require priority for tutoring when money is limited to students who previously attended DC lowest-performing schools.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Johnson, Ron [R-WI]

WI • R

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Scott, Tim [R-SC]

    SC • R

    Sponsored 1/28/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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