As the PA House debates the future of educational opportunities for K-12 students in the Commonwealth, we hope you will consider the information contained in the attached document. Myths vs Facts PDF
To stifle educational opportunities in the 21st Century when more children than ever before are being educated in charter and cyber charter schools would be a severe disservice to parents and their 36,000+ Cyber Charter School students and to the 140,000+ Charter School students.
The fundamental question is why are parents choosing to have their children attend cyber charter schools versus traditional schools? We believe that there are a myriad of reasons including: a better education, the ability to progress at the child’s own pace, safety and more family involvement being key among them. We respectfully encourage you continue to allow parents and students be the ones who can choose what is the best educational setting for their children and not government entities.
PA Charter and Cyber Charter Public Schools across the Commonwealth are employing the most cutting edge technology in their classrooms and emphasizing English, Math and Science with career readiness education to ensure Pennsylvania graduates enter a workforce ready to work and succeed. All PA Charter Schools do so with just 75-80% of the per-pupil funding that district schools receive.
While some are suggesting that charter schools are driving up costs, it is important to note that for the majority of the 500 school districts across the state, the money they send to charter and cyber charter schools on an annual basis is approximately 10% of the money that sits in their own unreserved fund balances.
And, in spite of the PA Charter School Law that requires them to do so, over 150 district schools have refused to directly pay cyber charter schools their monthly tuition payment.
We respectfully ask you to learn more about cyber charter schools and ask questions of your superintendent:
- Why is there so much money sitting in your unreserved fund balance?
- What do your students’ test scores look like when compared to the statewide average? For full transparency, many students attend cyber charter schools because they have fallen behind in the traditional school to the point that they can be several grades behind. As a result, cyber test scores for that student in his/her first year can be low but in time, for the majority of students who matriculate to a cyber charter school, the student will advance in learning gains.
- Why do you think parents have chosen to leave the district school? Safety? Bullying? Not a good fit in general for their child?
If you are interested in visiting a school or would like to talk with a family in your district, we would be happy to make those arrangements.
Thank you for taking the time to learn more about cyber charter schools. If you have any questions, please contact Pugliese Associates.
Sincerely,
Jim Hanak, President
The Public Cyber Charter School Association (PCCSA)
Dr. James Hanak, CEO
PA Leadership Charter School
1332 Enterprise Drive
West Chester, PA 19380
Phone: 610-701-3333
Fax: 610-701-3393
www.palcs.org