Cyber Charter Schools Fail Pennsylvania Children
Just as parents review a child’s report card to gauge progress, the state should evaluate the marks of cyber charter schools, which are currently failing. Among the 14 cyber charter schools in Pennsylvania, not one met the minimum state standards for academics according to a recent report from Research for Action (RFA).
In spite of their abysmal track record, enrollment in cyber charters climbed to more than 36,000 students last year (2013-14). Given the alarming data that shows cyber charters are among “the very lowest performing schools,” according to RFA, the state would be wise not to expand cyber charter options until it figures out how to ensure the cyber charters already authorized are doing their job or are shut down.
Unfortunately the State Board of Education held a hearing last month to review applications for three new cyber charter schools. The Secretary of Education could decide after the hearings wrap up next week.
Performance is not the only problem with cyber charters. State law requires that districts make a tuition payment to charters set at the cost of instruction in the student’s home district. Cyber and brick and mortar charter schools receive the same tuition rate. For instance, in Avon Grove School District, the tuition rate is set at $7,718 per student even though cyber charters do not pay for buildings, transportation and other costs brick and mortar charters must cover.
Statewide, special education students receive additional funding to meet their needs. In Avon Grove, special education students receive $20,070 each. This state rule essentially creates an incentive for charters to over-identify students who need special education services. Research for Action’s report finds that the number of special education students enrolled in cyber charters jumped 24% last year.
Since school districts have to pay both the tuition rate and special education payments to cyber charters, there is less money available to support the costs of traditional public schools.
Efforts to overhaul the oversight and payment systems for cyber charters are long overdue. Click here to ask your legislator to urge the Secretary of Education to deny all new applications for cyber charters and push for authorization and payment reforms.
How President’s Order Helps More Children get Health Insurance
Lost in the headlines of President Obama’s executive order to legalize millions of undocumented immigrants is how it could help American-born children in immigrant families access quality healthcare services, including many of the two million uninsured Hispanic children in our country.
The Center for Children and Families (CCF) at Georgetown finds that of the two million uninsured Hispanic children, 1.3 million of them are U.S. citizens and thus eligible for Medicaid or CHIP, but are not enrolled. While Hispanic children represent the largest group, there are citizen children of other races and ethnicities in similar situations. CCF’s analysis notes that, “By removing the threat of deportation, the Executive Order effectively reduces a barrier to coverage for children who are eligible for Medicaid or CHIP coverage but unenrolled. Parents supported by relief from deportation will be less afraid of approaching government and be more likely to sign up for health coverage for their children.”
A year ago PCCY formed the Health Insurance for ALL Children Coalition to change Pennsylvania state law that bars children without legal immigration status from enrolling in CHIP. Click here to learn more.
How Can We Be Serious About Kids And Have Fun?
Mark your calendars today for the Celebration of the 2015 Public Citizen for Children and Youth set for Wednesday, April 29, 2015. If you missed the PCCY Celebration last year, watch the video below – it’s proof positive that you will want to put this event on your calendar now! Click here to purchase your tickets.
Greg Redden, Regional President for Wells Fargo is the 2015 Public Citizen for Children and Youth because he is a diehard fan of kids and he stepped up as the first major investor for the Philadelphia READ! By 4th Campaign. To learn more about READ by 4th, click here.
What’s the Impact of Charters in Philadelphia?
This Monday, December 8th, the School Reform Commission will begin to review the applications submitted by 40 charter schools. If approved, nearly one in three (40,341) public school students could leave district schools for charters. Can the district afford this massive shift? How can quality be assured?
Americans for Democratic Action, PCCY, Action United and Education Voters of Pennsylvania will hold a forum on accountability for charter schools this Tuesday, December 9th, from 7pm to 9pm at the Friends Center (1501 Cherry St., Philadelphia).
Panelists include:
- Commissioner Farah Jimenez- Chair of the School Reform Commission’s Charter Committee
- Jurate Krokys- Regional Council Co-Chair of Schools that Can, Founding principal of Independence Charter School
- Kyle Serette- Center for Popular Democracy and author of “Fraud and Financial Mismanagement in PA’s Charter Schools”
- Barbara Dowdall- Retired English Department Head at A. Phillip Randolph Career and Technical School and former ADA Board Member
The panel discussion will be moderated by Daily News education reporter Solomon Leach. Click here for more info and to RSVP.