Dena Levitz, The Examiner
2008-05-28 07:00:00.0
Current rank: Not ranked

WASHINGTON -

D.C.’s best and most improved high school graduates could get taxpayer-funded cash prizes under legislation that may soon be revived.

The bill — introduced by council members Kwame Brown, Harry Thomas, Carol Schwartz and Marion Barry — calls for giving valedictorians at the city’s public high schools $3,000 apiece and students who have made the biggest academic strides $1,000 each. More than a year has passed since it was introduced. The legislation was shelved because of a lack of funding, officials said.

But some students in the system are pushing for the program again, this time also pressing for charter school students to be eligible for the awards. Michael Price, spokesman for Brown, said the council member wants to have a public hearing to fully review the components of the bill and fold charter students in.

“He wants to have a good balance and make sure that all students in the system would have an equal chance at the money,” Price said.

The thousands of dollars necessary to fund the project have not been set aside in the city’s 2009 budget. Officials also still have to determine the criteria for choosing the most-improved students.

Originally the legislation did not make any mention of charter school students, overwhelmingly the fastest-growing segment of the District’s student population.

There are 21 charter high schools on 23 campuses, according to the charter board.

Brittany Spencer, a senior at IDEA Public Charter School, called it an issue of fairness when she testified at a recent hearing.

“I am one of the blessed seniors at my school in the running for valedictorian,” she said. “These high schools have been hard at work and I have earned my diploma. I believe that just like seniors at a traditional public high school I deserve a reward for my hard work.”

dlevitz@dcexaminer.com