At a Glance: District of Columbia Appropriations

S 2333, HR 4380

Synopsis:The annual spending bills contain $644.8 million for Washington’s public schools, including $22 million to supplement the district’s growing charter school network. Both would give the city’s special education system more time--120 days instead of the current 50--to evaluate students suspected of having a disability, and curb the amount of legal fees paid in disputes over special education placements. The House passed, 214-208, an amendment that would create a $5.4 million program to give vouchers of up to $3,200 to students from low-income families to attend the public, private, or parochial schools of their choice.

Last action: The House passed its bill, 214-206, on Aug. 7.

Next action: The Senate plans to vote on its bill later this month. President Clinton, however, has threatened to veto a final version of the bill if it contains a voucher provision and other language he opposes on health and abortion issues.