A Time for Choosing: Systems or Kids?

In this time of crisis, teachers and parents are working to ensure children continue learning.

But recent survey information in Philadelphia and other areas reveal thousands of families lack access to basic internet and computers. One solution to this problem comes in the form of cyber charter schools, which excel in virtual learning. Earlier this month, a network of these schools offered to guide school districts seeking to set up their own online education programs. Additionally, cyber charter schools provide all the required equipment for learning plus a stipend for broadband internet to all who enroll.

But that generosity may never came to fruition thanks to powerful political forces and organizations in our state. Unfortunately, these organizations are more concerned with taking care of adults employed by the system than the kids it educates, leaving hundreds of thousands of students with no opportunities to learn—including those in Philadelphia and Erie.

By denying students their education tax dollars, powerful interest groups are cutting children off from what may be their only educational option during the shutdown.

The Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators (PASA) has spent the past week lobbying for a moratorium on new cyber charter school enrollments. 

PASA’s executive director Mark DiRocco expressed concern to WHYY over money following children from district to cyber schools as parents consider making the switch–contending it’s not fair to “allow the charter schools to say, ‘Well we are open for business now.’”

Making that point, a Northeastern Pa. union leader emailed members summarizing the legislative intent of Rich Askey, President of the Pennsylvania State Education Association (PSEA):

There are so many things that your union is looking into for you. What about the fingerprinting and clearances, what about student teachers, how can we prevent mass numbers of students from enrolling in cyber schools. 

As of this writing, legislation to discourage families from enrolling in cyber options has passed the General Assembly and awaits Governor Wolf’s signature:

FOR THE TIME PERIOD A CHARTER SCHOOL, REGIONAL CHARTER SCHOOL OR CYBER CHARTER SCHOOL IS CLOSED DUE TO THE 2020 PANDEMIC, THE CHARTER SCHOOL, REGIONAL CHARTER SCHOOL OR CYBER CHARTER SCHOOL SHALL RECEIVE TUITION PAYMENTS BASED UPON THE ENROLLMENT AS OF MARCH 13, 2020.

By denying students their education tax dollars, powerful interest groups are cutting children off from what may be their only educational option during the shutdown.

Efforts from special interest groups like PASA and PSEA will effectively leave hundreds of thousands of the poorest kids without a way to learn.

Any child should be able to take advantage of online learning, whether via another district or charter school. State elected officials should be encouraging schools to adapt, grow, and learn, not preventing choices that will ensure students can continue to learn, and teachers can continue to teach.

If there was ever a time to put kids first, this is it.