Kara Jeffers

This week, a cyber charter school reform bill passed the Pennsylvania House with a 104-100 vote. The bill comes weeks ahead of the state budget deadline of June 30th, and parts of the bill could be included in budget negotiations.

HB 1500 sets a consistent, statewide tuition rate of $8,000 for public school students who choose to attend a cyber charter school. The bill also has governance and transparency measures.

Republican Auditor General Tim DeFoor released a report earlier this year saying cyber charters have unreasonable reserve funds, among other concerns.

House Democrats hosted public hearings this spring to discuss different aspects of reform. For example, Democrat Rep. Pete Schweyer, chair of the House Education Committee, said in floor comments that in one cyb

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