Senate hearing examines learning options during COVID-19

Public charter schools have stepped up to ensure 143,000 students continue their education during pandemic

UPDATE: You can read Ana Meyer’s testimony HERE and view a recording of the hearing HERE.

HARRISBURG (MAY 11, 2020) – Ana Meyers, Executive Director of the PA Coalition of Public Charter Schools, will testify today before the Senate Education Committee on how public charter schools, both brick-and-mortar and cybers, are ensuring their children are learning during the COVID-19 crisis.

The committee’s virtual hearing is scheduled for 11 a.m. Monday, May 11, and the participants will be interviewed via Zoom. The hearing will be live streamed at the Senate website.

Public charter schools in Pennsylvania have taken great steps to ensure their 143,000 students continued learning during this difficult period. Brick-and-mortar charter schools have moved their lessons online and supplied computers to students. They have served as community centers for food distribution. Cyber charter schools, which have 20 years of experience teaching children online, offered guidance to any school struggling with online instruction.

“The charter school community has banded together in the wake of this pandemic with cyber schools working together with brick and mortar schools to provide guidance, training and webinars on distance learning,” Meyers said. “Their priority has been ensuring all students have the opportunity to receive continuity of education and regain that sense of normalcy. We’re really proud of how our charter schools have led during this challenging time.”

Charter schools, students and families across Pennsylvania this week are celebrating National Charter Schools Week. The theme of this year’s National Charter Schools Week is “Above and Beyond” reflecting the efforts of public charter schools to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Charter schools are public schools and open to all students. They are operated independently from traditional school districts, which has allowed them the flexibility to respond to the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.

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The Pennsylvania Coalition of Public Charter Schools (PCPCS) is the state’s largest and most active organization advocating for both brick-and-mortar and cyber charter schools. Pennsylvania’s 180 charter schools educate 143,000 students, and demand for these public schools continues to grow with more than 40,000 students on charter school waitlists. For more information on PCPCS and charter schools, visit www.pacharters.org.