Allentown Morning Call 12-14-07

House Bill Will Hurt Cyber Charter Schools

December 14, 2007

Proponents of an anti-cyber school bill (House Bill 446) claim the legislation will strengthen public cyber schools. What a paradox! You don't strengthen schools by cutting funding and imposing new restrictions. Would any other public schools be treated like this?

The truth is, HB 446 discriminates against our schools, teachers and families. Across Pennsylvania, there are 11 public cyber charter schools serving 20,000 students. Yet, not a single member of the cyber school community was involved in the closed-door negotiations of HB 446. Our views were summarily dismissed and we were blocked from helping craft a bill that would truly strengthen cyber schools. The result was a bill replete with flaws.

The Dec. 9 editorial, ''House bill would set high standards for cyber charter school accountability,'' fails to mention that this bill treats our highly qualified cyber school teachers as second-class educators. The legislation unfairly questions whether teaching in a cyber school qualifies teachers for advanced certification. Cyber school teachers don't deserve such treatment. They are committed, passionate educators who are devoted to their students.

The bill imposes new, burdensome regulations even though cyber schools are meeting academic and fiscal accountability requirements. Our schools are as accountable as every public school in the state, and in many cases, more so.

HB 446 cuts funding for public cyber schools. Never mind that cyber schools already receive significantly less funding than ''brick and mortar schools.'' HB 446 will force reductions in learning programs, impact quality, and stifle innovation and student achievement. Treating our schools, teachers and students unfairly may satisfy the agenda of some, but it will not improve Pennsylvania's public school system.

Sharon Williams

Head of School

Agora Cyber Charter School