D.C. Bill Stirs Debate Over Federal Policy

By Mark Pitsch and Peter Schmidt Washington

A controversial "education scholarship" program for low-income District of Columbia students recently endorsed by the House has broad implications for federal policy, but other congressional reform ideas may ultimately have a bigger impact on this city's troubled schools.

The voucher plan may face resistance in the Senate or a presidential veto. If it were enacted, it would almost surely be challenged in court. Moreover, logistical and economic barriers would probably limit scholarship recipients' choices to a relative handful of private schools.

The proposal is part of an ambitious school-reform package that would also require the 80,000-student school district to set challenging academic standards and submit reform plans to Congress. (See related story, 11/8/95 .)