I wish, when I went to school, I could grade myself. But, that isn't how it worked.

And the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship brings about a little more than $6 million----

Is it a--one common accreditation, or are there different forms of accreditation?

As you described it, the oversight of these voucher schools is basically by your agency, as I understand it. Is that correct?

Sending your children to public schools is a better outcome, or a better choice.

Since we are sending you millions of dollars in Federal funds, what rigors, what standards, are you setting for academic performance?

I mean, and why there would be an exception created for voucher schools, I don't know.

I promise that we will reconvene. I apologize, on behalf of the subcommittee, for the inconvenience of bringing you all the way here.

What do you tell a parent about, for example, the Kuumba Learning Center?

We ought to pay attention to the results of that congressionally mandated study.

Two out of 59 schools were turned down, as opposed to two out of three for charter schools.

I think you've made your position clear, and I won't dwell on it, other than tell you that we are now living in a world of accountability, under No Child Left Behind--and it's controversial--but, we are being told it'll be a different…

A common test gives us a better standard norm to measure against.

We've got to demand the same standards, for the sake of the children and their families, of your schools that we do of other schools.

I think we have a special responsibility, in Congress--since we have a special relationship with the District of Columbia--to account for the money spent and to ask if it's being spent well.

What we've heard here is parents and students voting with their feet, and leaving the D.C. public schools.

Why shouldn't all low-income District residents, while they await the very promising, but likely years away reforms for D.C. public schools, get the same shot Ms. Williamson and her kids are getting through the OSP?

Lawmakers Threaten D.C. Scholarships Despite Evidence of Benefits

I think it's a great idea. I knew nothing about that, but I think it's a wonderful idea to ensure the safety of students.

I don't understand how you can expect us to send Federal taxpayers' dollars to your program, and you refuse to cooperate with even the most basic information.

We'll be back probably with some written questions.

Yes. At the bottom of the page, here, I think----

I believe in public education first. And I don't think we ought to walk away from our responsibility to public education.

I want to thank all those who are here today for coming back and participating in this.

This dire situation demands our urgent attention, and I know that every one of us here is united toward the common goal, even if we may disagree about how to get here.