HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Democrat-sponsored proposals to make other changes to how Republican objections to Pennsylvania’s cybercharter schools narrowly pass the Capitol on Wednesday over a Republican objection to limit per capita payments and enforce online learning programs.
104-98 Votewith only two Republicans, setting markers for the permanently controversial issue of school funding as state lawmakers work to complete the state budget for next year for the fiscal year that begins in July.
The bill’s $8,000 limit will boost how vast public school districts reimbursing cybercharters are at the heart of the law and will boost districts and property tax payers who carry much of Pennsylvania’s public education costs. Currently there is no limit to district payments for cybercharters. This is the amount related to the amount of district spent on my students the previous year.
Supporters said the changes to the cybercharter rules have been widely supported by the state’s 500 school boards, and cyber school spending has been the subject of a recent critical review by Republican Auditor Tim DeFour.
However, opponents defended the existing system as an important lifeline for students and families who have been seeking alternatives to traditional schools for a variety of reasons.
Main provisions of the bill
The bill would set annual tuition fees for cybercharters from the district at $8,000 per person, and could increase annually. Special education funding is also changing.
Cybercharters are unable to maintain cash balances above 12% of their spending and cannot provide payments or gifts to parents as an incentive to register their children.
The bill will strengthen disclosure requirements for cybercharter policies, educational materials and budgets.
Prohibits the state education department from approving additional cybercharter schools between 2029 and 30. A new Cyber Charter School Funding and Policy Council will be established to make recommendations on registration, governance and funding.
What did the lawmakers say about it?
On Wednesday during the floor debate, Philadelphia Republican Rep. Martina White said the measure “will close real schools, replace real students, and strip the very choice families they rely on to give their children a chance to succeed.”
The moratorium will do a lot of damage to cybercharters, said Rep. Craig Williams, a Delaware County Republican.
“We can limit the number of cybercharters that exist now, suffocate their funds, and ultimately kill cybercharters. We’re going to find another way to learn from over 60,000 students in the school system and suffocate it with this bill,” Williams said.
House Education Committee Chairman Lehigh County Democrat Peter Schwier has listed the issues of cybercharter spending raised in the Auditor General. ReportIncludes staff bonuses, gift cards, vehicle payments, and fuel pay.
“Gift card?” Schwier asked his colleague. “If we had got a gift card as part of our compensation, we would all be in trouble.”
Money at risk
The leaders of existing public cybercharter schools say the measure will cut funds across the state by more than $450 million, with a third of the total cuts targeting special education students’ rebates.
A democratic analysis has brought this figure to over $600 million.
What is a Public Cyber Charter School?
Currently, around 65,000 Pennsylvania students attend the state’s 14 public cybercharter schools, a public nonprofit company. You do not need to comply with all the requirements of public schools under state law.
Cyber Charter Schools are considered independent public schools that are approved to operate on “charters” issued by the Education Department. They use technology to provide a lot of education. Students are usually not required to attend physical locations beyond specific events, such as standardized tests.
What’s going to happen now?
The proposal was sent to the Republican majority state Senate for consideration. The bill will be part of a broader negotiation for lawmakers to decide on budgets before the summer falls.
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