The House Appropriations Committee on Monday passed a District of Columbia spending bill which includes a provision to give about 2,000 low-income students in the public school system scholarships of up to $3,200 to attend a public or private school in D.C. or neighboring Maryland or Virginia. Another 2,000 would get up to $500 for tutoring.

Voucher supporters recognize that the $7 million involved is a pittance, but say that any help at all is a step in the right direction -- given the horrendous condition of D.C. schools.

• The district currently spends more than $10,000 annually in an attempt to educate each of the schools system's 77,000 students.

• Yet nearly two-thirds of the students test below their grade level in math and reading.

• In 1994, 72 percent of fourth-graders tested below "basic proficiency" on the National Assessment of Education Progress.

Already, 230 poor parents in Washington take part in a private program that gives them $1,000 toward tuition. Another 800 are on a waiting list to receive that aid.

President Bill Clinton and Education Secretary Richard Riley have both stated their opposition to the D.C. voucher proposal.

The measure goes to the House floor for a vote next week.

Source: Editorial, "Fairness Means Choice for D.C. Kids," Investor's Business Daily, October 1, 1997.