PCPCS Expresses Disappointment on Failure of Senate to Pass Charter School Law
July 02, 2012
West Chester, PA – The Pennsylvania Coalition of Public Charter Schools expresses profound disappointment in the failure of the Senate to act on Senate Bill 1115 which passed the House yesterday with comprehensive charter reform amendments.
The encouraging action by the House represented an imperfect, but long overdue update of the charter school law that would have remedied many of the inequities that have existed since the original charter law was enacted in 1997. The inaction by the Senate maintains the status quo which continues to impede the development of high quality charter schools and limit educational choices for parents. It is our sincere hope that we can work with the House and Senate to resolve their differences so that intelligent and comprehensive charter reform legislation can be passed in the fall. Our children deserve it.
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Pennsylvania Charter School Reform Legislation (SB 1115) State Representative Vote Scorecard
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For shame on mine….Both of my kids deserve the chance for a better education without bullying and everything else that goes along with the public schools…
Yea…To mine….It is a shame they do not realize what brick and mortar schools have become. They are not right for all kids. Since I have had mine in cyber school they have improved greatly academically.
Frank Farley.
Thanks so much for voting for Charter Schools. Our education system is so bad in the country, our state and especially our local school district (Neshaminy) and I believe it is because there is little or no competition. Our current method of funneling all state money to a school district has proven to be a failure. It is impossible to correct the current monopolitic school districts. It is a flawed model. We should not keep trying to get “blood out of a rock.” If we give students and parents choices, the competition between schools will make them improve or fail and go out of business, as they should.
All of the work going into trying to improve the existing Neshaminy School System from within is a waste of time, taxpayer money and especially children’s futures. The answer is not inside the existing system. The answer is just being created on the outside with charter schools. And lets not give districts control over these schools, who are their competitors.
If you want to see a successful public charter school visit Bucks County Montessori Charter school in the Pennsbury district. They have been in operation for over 10 years and have done an excellent job.
It’s a shame that you would vote this way. The Charter Schools offer so much more for our children. They are not just a number, they are known and cared about by each and every teacher. My Granddaughter has excelled in every way by attending such a great school. The education she is receiving is exceptional and beyond compare. Every student should be allowed the opportunity to attend a school where there is no bullying or disruption in the class room by unruly students. These children are our future and we need to give them every opportunity to excel and to not fear going to school because of actions of other student who don’t care and are only going to school because attendance is required by the state.
Thank you Representative S. Smith for voting Yea! My daughter is learning so much more and getting better grades than ever since going to PA Cyber! She isn’t missing a lot of school from being sick anymore either! In fact, she doesn’t miss any now! Again, thank you Representative S. Smith! God bless you!
Mr. Grell,
I wanted to thank you for your YEA!!! support of the Charter schools. It allows them to do what they need to do with out all the extra junk that goes on in a brick and mortar school and it is ONLY natural that no matter what their learning level is they can excel and that bar can be raised to ready them even more for the REAL world that awaits them around the corner. When there is an opportunity to hand our kiddos what they need to become productive citizens and responsible for their actions I believe it opens up sooooo much for them. The choice is a blessing. The families that are able to make the choice to where they send their child/ren are blessed. You can’t shove a square into a circle so why should it be accepted to try and shove our children into a once size fits all choice(classroom)? Thank You! Thank YOU! Thank YOU!
Peace in your soul Love in your heart Happiness in your life
Last year my oldest granddaughter was in 1st grade at one of the 2 worst schools in her atea for reading scores and even with much parental help she failed 1st grade due to not being taught to read properly. Then they rezone and want to send her to a school with a bunch of fighting and drug pushing? Now she lives with us and Commonwealth Connections Academy is making such a difference in her life toward educational success. She has brought her grades up between 90% to 100% with CCA and she can be involved in any community class she wants, so she is able to go to gymanstics and practice each day. The scheduler, activity tracker, tools, teachers, and technical assistance have been awesome. We get help as needed in an environment where she can succeed and she still has time for learning other things and for interaction with others.
Mr. Daley,
Very disappointed but not entirely suprised. My daughter is cyber schooled d/t not keeping up, and the favoritism, bullying, and cutting of using the textbooks, etc, that my husband and I (the taxpayers), are paying for. My son is 18 and at Trinity High School, and he just missed the in teacher/student ratio change and importance of school funding (PSSA), which is affecting many students negatively, and ARE getting “left behind”. I, like so many parents, have to work. So when I was spending so much time with homework, and my daughter didnt/wouldn’t attend school, my husband and I decided to try CCA. Not only are students getting left behind, they are exposed to morally poorly behaved children, that are not held accountable. Ex: bipolar child that was/is physically abusive to other students. Come on now, Im not paying for that!
Mr. Neuman,
See above comment. Cheers to cyber schooling, and FREEDOM of choice, as we know the Democrats dont agree with.
I am appalled that in the 21st century that our education is still so antiquated that it cannot see the growing demand and need for cyber schools! By not voting in support of cyber schools, you are basically denying the chance for children in failing or incompetent school disticts to have a quality education. Families who can’t afford to live in nicer areas are being sent the message yet again that they don’t have the right to an equal opportunity in education. I think the one way to solve this is to require our legislative bodies to send their children for a year to the lousy school districts!
Thank you all (many republicans) for your votes. Charter school is on the rise. It is an excellent traditional form of education. We owe it to our children to offer them the best one-on-one education they deserve. Our world is very much different than before. The children today are a reflection of the many failures we have produced. Examples such as; lack of responsibility, too much social time and expectations; no child left behind act; and so on.. Charter school gives the responsiblity to the child and parent. God Bless.
Thank you Mr. Knowles for voting YEA to SB1115!!!! Our family really appreciates your Yes vote. We are thankful we have the CHOICE today to enroll our child where WE see fit. Thank Goodness for cyber schools. We know our child will get a good education and he is somewhere we know is SAFE! ( right here in his comfort of home) Thank You again Mr. Knowles… God Bless.
My family has not been able to have the opportunity of going to traditional school because of our contract work. So for years now we have homeschooled. I found Connections Academy when we relocated to Pennsylvania. For families like mine a charter school is our best option, and let me tell you I am highly impressed with them! Not only have my daughters excelled, but they love the system! They had the option to go to traditional school this year and chose Connections Academy instead! So for all of those who voted “yea” thank you!
I would also like to thank Representative Miccarelli for voting in favor of this bill and for shooting down HB2364. The future of our children depends on this bill.
My grandson started kindergarten with Commonwealth Connection Academy and is now in 1st grade. This is my second year with CCA and were very pleased. The charter school is our best option. There is no bullying,name calling,or a child left behind because they don’t understand the lessones in class CCA teachers are they to help everone. My family Thanks all you for voting ” YES”
We need charter schools. College’s across the country have embraced online teaching, and it’s time that online charter school’s for kids get their due. Not all children thrive in a public school system due to a variety of reasons from behavior, to bullying. Yet these very same children can thrive, and learn in an online school.