D.C. Code § 38-1853.04: General authority.

(a)

(1)

From funds appropriated under § 38-1853.14(a)(1), the Secretary shall award grants on a competitive basis to eligible entities with approved applications under § 38-1853.05 to carry out a program to provide eligible students with expanded school choice opportunities. The Secretary may award a single grant or multiple grants, depending on the quality of applications submitted and the priorities of this chapter.

(2)

The Secretary may make grants under this subsection for a period of not more than 5 years.

(3)

(A)

In carrying out the program under this division, the Secretary may not limit the number of eligible students receiving scholarships under § 38-1853.07(a), and may not prevent otherwise eligible students from participating in the program under this division, based on any of the following:

(i)

The type of school the student previously attended.

(ii)

Whether or not the student previously received a scholarship or participated in the program, including whether an eligible student was awarded a scholarship in any previous year but has not used the scholarship, regardless of the number of years of nonuse.

(iii)

Whether or not the student was a member of the control group used by the Institute of Education Sciences to carry out previous evaluations of the program under § 38-1853.09.

(B)

Nothing in subparagraph (A) may be construed to waive the requirement under § 38-1853.05(b)(1)(B) that the eligible entity carrying out the program under this chapter must carry out a random selection process, which gives weight to the priorities described in § 38-1853.06, if more eligible students seek admission in the program than the program can accommodate.

(b)

From funds appropriated under paragraphs (2) and (3) of § 38-1853.14(a), the Secretary shall provide funds to the Mayor of the District of Columbia, if the Mayor agrees to the requirements described in § 38-1853.11(a), for—

(1)

the District of Columbia public schools to improve public education in the District of Columbia; and

(2)

the District of Columbia public charter schools to improve and expand quality public charter schools in the District of Columbia.