Department of Education, Legislators, and School Leaders Urge Action on Charter School Accountability, Reform
04/30/2021
Harrisburg, PA - Pennsylvania Department of Education’s (PDE) Acting Secretary Noe Ortega joined state Senators Lindsey Williams and Jim Brewster, McKeesport Area School District Superintendent Dr. Mark Holtzman, and Deer Lakes School District Superintendent Dr. Janell Logue-Belden today for a virtual press conference to discuss bipartisan legislation to hold charter schools accountable to students and taxpayers.
“Students across the commonwealth deserve a quality education that prepares them for success in life,” said Acting Secretary Noe Ortega. “In an effort to ensure the continued mission of high-quality learning in PA, our public schools must be held accountable for their educational outcomes and subject to fair, predictable funding structures and standards.”
Department of Education, Legislator, and School Leaders Discuss Charter School Accountability Reform
04/15/2021
Harrisburg, PA - Today, Pennsylvania Department of Education’s (PDE) Acting Secretary Noe Ortega joined State Representative Joe Ciresi, West Chester Area School District Superintendent Dr. Jim Scanlon, Souderton Area School District Superintendent Dr. Frank Gallagher, and Tredyffrin/Easttown School District School Board President Michelle Burger for a virtual press conference to discuss bipartisan legislation to hold charter schools accountable to students and taxpayers.
“Students across the commonwealth deserve a quality education, no matter their zip code,” said Acting Secretary Noe Ortega. “In an effort to ensure the continued mission of high-quality learning in PA, our public schools must be held accountable for their educational outcomes and subject to fair, predictable funding structures and standards.”
That law has changed little in over 20 years.
And, COVID-19 is driving many more people to cyber charter schools and sending tax dollars with them.
“The urgent need to hold charter schools and cyber charter schools accountable has increased as enrollment and taxpayer costs have swelled during the COVID-19 pandemic,” Wolf said.
His proposal “holds low-performing charter schools accountable to improve the quality of education, protects taxpayers by reining in skyrocketing charter school costs and increases the transparency of for-profit companies that run many charter schools.”
Charter schools do not charge tuition. They receive most of their funding on a per-pupil basis from their students’ districts of residence.
Protects taxpayers by saving $229 million a year
Increases transparency of for-profit companies that run many charter schools
The urgent need to hold charter schools and cyber charter schools accountable has increased as enrollment and taxpayer costs have swelled during the COVID-19 pandemic. Governor Tom Wolf today unveiled a common sense and fair bipartisan plan that protects students, parents, and taxpayers. The plan holds low-performing charter schools accountable to improve the quality of education, protects taxpayers by reining in skyrocketing charter school costs, and increases the transparency of for-profit companies that run many charter schools.
“Every child in Pennsylvania deserves a high-quality education that prepares them to succeed in life, but our current law lets some charter schools perform poorly at the expense of students enrolled in traditional district schools,” said Gov. Wolf. “The pandemic has made the problem worse as charter school enrollment has in