New funding calculations, shortened notification timelines, mandatory student wellness checks, and access to facilities for testing.
Senate Bill 700 amends the Pennsylvania Public School Code of 1949
As a frustrated cyber charter parent, it's disheartening to see lawmakers continuously overlook the voices of families like mine who rely on cyber charter schools. Despite the daily efforts we put in to engage with the educational system and advocate for our children, it feels like our concerns fall on deaf ears. The recent amendments to the Public School Code of 1949 through Senate Bill 700 only reinforce this sentiment, with changes that seem to address issues from a singular perspective, ignoring the positive impact and unique needs of cyber charter education.
At Candy Apple Advocacy, we believe in the power of parents to shape the future of education. Our mission is to empower and support parents as they navigate the complexities of the educational landscape. It's crucial that we come together to ensure our voices are heard and our unique challenges are recognized.
Building bridges between lawmakers and parents is essential for creating a more inclusive and effective educational system. We need to foster open communication and collaboration to ensure that legislation reflects the diverse needs of all students, including those in cyber charter schools. By working together, we can advocate for policies that recognize the unique benefits of cyber education and address the real concerns of families.
Pennsylvania's education landscape is set for significant changes with the recent amendments to the Public School Code of 1949. Senate Bill 700, which has undergone multiple revisions, introduces wide-ranging reforms affecting various aspects of the state's education system. From new funding formulas and grant programs to changes in charter school regulations and teacher certification requirements, this comprehensive legislation aims to address pressing issues in Pennsylvania's schools. As educators, administrators, and families prepare for the upcoming school year, it's crucial to understand how these changes may impact students, teachers, and educational institutions across the Commonwealth.
Key Points
Funding and Grants
Establishes a new student-weighted basic education funding formula starting with the 2023-2024 school year
Creates a Ready-to-Learn Block Grant program with new allocation methods
Introduces a School Environmental Repairs Program to fund abatement of environmental hazards in schools
Modifies funding for cyber charter schools and implements new reporting requirements
Charter School Regulations
Enhances transparency and accountability measures for charter school entities
Implements new conflict of interest policies for charter school administrators and board members
Requires charter schools to have a minimum of five non-related voting board members
Mandates annual audits and financial reporting for charter schools
Teacher Certification
Revises requirements for Career and Technical Instructional Certificates
Allows for alternative pathways to certification, including experience as volunteer firefighters or emergency medical technicians
School Safety and Security
Requires schools to have at least one full-time security personnel on duty during the school day
Establishes a School Security Personnel Fund
Implements new reporting requirements for school safety coordinators
Educational Programs and Services
Expands allowable uses for Ready-to-Learn Block Grant funds
Introduces programs to support English learners and students with disabilities
Establishes new requirements for cyber charter schools, including weekly student wellness checks
Transparency and Reporting
Mandates new reporting requirements for schools on various aspects of operations and finance
Requires publication of certain financial information on school websites
Implements new audit requirements for charter schools and educational institutions
Miscellaneous Provisions
Repeals certain existing commissions and committees
Modifies provisions related to public libraries and community colleges
Implements changes to educational tax credit programs
Funding for Cyber Charter Schools
A new section 1725.1-A establishes specific funding calculations for special education students in cyber charter schools:
"For special education students, a cyber charter school shall receive for each student enrolled the lesser of: (1) The amount calculated under section 1725-A(a)(3); or (2) The same funding as for each non-special education student as provided in section 1725-A(a)(2), plus an additional amount determined by dividing the district of residence's total special education expenditure by the school district of residence's total special education average daily membership for the prior school year."
Enrollment and Notification Requirements
Section 1748-A is amended to shorten notification timelines:
"Within [15] 10 days of the enrollment of a student to a cyber charter school, the parent or guardian and the cyber charter school shall notify the student's school district of residence of the enrollment"
"The cyber charter school and the parent or guardian of a student enrolled in a cyber charter school shall provide written notification to the student's school district of residence within [15] 10 days following the withdrawal of a student from the cyber charter school."
Student Wellness Checks
A new section 1748.1-A requires cyber charter schools to conduct regular wellness checks:
"A cyber charter school shall, at least once during any week consisting of at least three full or partial days of academic instruction, ensure that each enrolled student is able to be visibly seen and communicated with in real time by a teacher, administrator or other representative of the cyber charter school, either in person or via electronic means"
Facility Access for Testing
Section 1722-A is amended to require schools to provide facility access to cyber charter schools for standardized testing:
"A school district, intermediate unit, community college and institution under Article XX-A shall provide a cyber charter school with reasonable access to facilities for the administration of standardized testing"
Applicability of Laws and Regulations
Section 1749-A is amended to update the list of laws and regulations applicable to cyber charter schools, including various education-related acts and regulations.
"(C) EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2025, AND THE ENTIRETY OF EACH SCHOOL YEAR THEREAFTER, FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION STUDENTS, A CYBER CHARTER SCHOOL SHALL RECEIVE FOR EACH STUDENT ENROLLED THE LESSER OF: (1) THE AMOUNT CALCULATED UNDER SECTION 1725-A(A)(3); OR (2) THE SAME FUNDING AS FOR EACH NON-SPECIAL EDUCATION STUDENT AS PROVIDED IN SECTION 1725-A(A)(2), PLUS AN ADDITIONAL AMOUNT DETERMINED BY DIVIDING THE DISTRICT OF RESIDENCE'S TOTAL SPECIAL EDUCATION EXPENDITURE BY THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OF RESIDENCE'S TOTAL SPECIAL EDUCATION AVERAGE DAILY MEMBERSHIP FOR THE PRIOR SCHOOL YEAR."
Summary: This section outlines changes to the funding formula for special education students in cyber charter schools, effective January 1, 2025. The new formula aims to adjust the amount cyber charter schools receive for special education students. Under this provision, cyber charter schools will receive the lesser of two calculated amounts for each enrolled special education student:
The amount calculated under the existing formula (Section 1725-A(A)(3)).
The same funding as for non-special education students, plus an additional amount based on the district of residence's special education expenditures and average daily membership.
This change appears to be designed to create a more equitable funding structure for special education students in cyber charter schools, potentially reducing costs for school districts while still providing appropriate funding for special education services in cyber charter settings.
Quote: "(E) FOR THE 2023-2024 SCHOOL YEAR AND EACH SCHOOL YEAR THEREAFTER, USING THE MOST RECENTLY AVAILABLE DATA AS OF THE FIRST DAY OF JUNE PRECEDING THE SCHOOL YEAR IN WHICH THE ALLOCATION OCCURS, THE COMMONWEALTH SHALL PAY TO EACH SCHOOL DISTRICT WITH RESIDENT STUDENTS ENROLLED IN A CYBER CHARTER SCHOOL, AS DEFINED UNDER ARTICLE XVII-A, AN AMOUNT EQUAL TO THE FOLLOWING: (1) MULTIPLY THE TUITION PAID TO CYBER CHARTER SCHOOLS AS REPORTED BY THE SCHOOL DISTRICT ON IT'S MOST RECENTLY DUE ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT'S TUITION SCHEDULE BY THE AMOUNT APPROPRIATED FOR CYBER CHARTER TRANSITION. (2) DIVIDE THE PRODUCT IN PARAGRAPH (1) BY THE SUM OF THE TUITION PAID BY ALL SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO CYBER CHARTER SCHOOLS AS REPORTED IN THE MOST RECENTLY DUE ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT'S TUITION SCHEDULE."
Summary: This section establishes a new funding mechanism for school districts with students enrolled in cyber charter schools. The Commonwealth will allocate funds to these districts based on a formula that takes into account the tuition paid to cyber charter schools and the total amount appropriated for cyber charter transition.
While the exact $100 million figure is not explicitly mentioned in the provided excerpt, it's likely that this amount is referenced elsewhere in the full legislation as the appropriation for cyber charter transition. This new allocation method aims to provide financial support to school districts that have been impacted by cyber charter school enrollments, potentially helping to offset some of the costs associated with students choosing cyber charter options.
The formula calculates each district's share of the appropriated funds based on their proportion of total cyber charter tuition payments across all districts in the state. This approach suggests an effort to distribute the funds equitably among affected school districts.