PA House Passes Major Cyber Charter Funding Reform

The Pennsylvania House has passed a bill to overhaul cyber charter school funding, capping tuition payments from school districts to cyber charters at $8,000 per student and projecting annual public school savings of $265 million to $616 million. The legislation introduces new transparency, accountability, and spending cap provisions, and follows a critical audit by Republican Auditor General Tim DeFoor highlighting cyber charters' large reserves and academic underperformance. The bill also imposes a moratorium on new cyber charters through the 2029-30 school year and restricts financial incentives for student enrollment. While the bill passed with strong Democratic support and limited Republican backing, its future is uncertain in the Republican-controlled Senate, reflecting partisan divides over school funding and choice. Proponents argue the reforms will stabilize district budgets and promote educational equity. Opponents warn the changes could negatively impact students relying on cyber charters for alternatives to traditional schools.