Pennsylvania 2023-2024 Regular Session

Pennsylvania House Bill HB132

Introduced
3/7/23  

Caption

In charter schools, providing for full-time cyber education program offered by school district.

Impact

If enacted, HB132 would influence state laws by establishing criteria and guidelines for the implementation of full-time cyber education programs within charter schools. This change is expected to enhance the educational landscape by providing families with more options regarding their children's education, particularly in the wake of increased reliance on digital platforms for learning. By formalizing the inclusion of cyber education, the bill could also prompt further discussions about the quality and regulation of online learning programs.

Summary

House Bill 132 (HB132) addresses the provision for a full-time cyber education program offered by school districts specifically within the context of charter schools. This bill aims to expand access to digital learning environments and align these offerings with the needs of students who may benefit from remote education solutions. The legislation signals a growth in the acceptance and integration of online education models as a standard option within public education frameworks.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HB132 appears generally positive, especially among education reform advocates and charter school proponents who view this as a progressive step toward modernizing education. However, there may also be concerns over the potential implications for funding and resource allocation, particularly if significant emphasis is placed on cyber programs at the expense of traditional classrooms. This balance between innovation in education and the preservation of conventional learning methods is likely to be a central theme in discussions regarding this bill.

Contention

Notable points of contention around HB132 may revolve around the effectiveness and oversight of cyber education programs. Critics could argue that such programs may lack accountability or adequate standards compared to traditional education. Additionally, there may be discussions about equitable access to technology and internet resources among students, raising questions about how to ensure all students benefit equally from cyber education initiatives. Addressing these issues will be essential for garnering broader support for the bill.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

PA HB480

In charter schools, providing for full-time cyber education program offered by school district.

PA SB337

In charter schools, further providing for funding for charter schools.

PA HB1494

In charter schools, providing for funding for cyber charter schools; and imposing penalties.

PA SB934

In cyber charter schools, further providing for enrollment and notification.

PA HB1500

In preliminary provisions, providing for Cyber Charter School Funding and Policy Council and further providing for advertising and sponsorships; in pupils and attendance, further providing for exceptional children and education and training; in charter schools, further providing for definitions, for funding for cyber charter schools, for powers and duties of department and for assessment and evaluation, providing for fund balance limits, further providing for cyber charter school requirements and prohibitions, providing for cyber charter school fund balance accountability, further providing for establishment of cyber charter school, for cyber charter school application, for enrollment and notification, for enrollee wellness checks and for applicability of other provisions of this act and of other acts and regulations and providing for cyber charter school moratorium; and, in reimbursements by Commonwealth and between school districts, further providing for extraordinary special education program expenses.

PA HB2370

In preliminary provisions, providing for advertising and sponsorships; in charter schools, further providing for definitions, for charter school requirements and for funding for charter schools, providing for funding for cyber charter schools, for cyber charter school requirements, for powers and composition of board of trustees and for educational management service providers, further providing for powers and duties of department and for assessment and evaluation, providing for annual reports and public reporting and for fund balance limits, further providing for cyber charter school requirements and prohibitions and for school district and intermediate unit responsibilities, providing for access to other schools' facilities, further providing for establishment of cyber charter school, providing for renewals, for charter amendments and for causes for nonrenewal, revocation or termination, further providing for State Charter School Appeal Board review, for cyber charter school application and for enrollment and notification, providing for enrollment parameters and for enrollee wellness checks and further providing for applicability of other provisions of this act and of other acts and regulations; and, in reimbursements by Commonwealth and between school districts, further providing for student-weighted basic education funding, providing for adequacy and tax equity supplements and for accountability to Commonwealth taxpayers and further providing for Pennsylvania accountability grants.

PA HB1372

In preliminary provisions, further providing for advertising and sponsorships; and, in charter schools, further providing for definitions, for charter school requirements, for powers of board of trustees, for facilities, for enrollment, for funding for charter schools, for funding for cyber charter schools, for powers and duties of department, for assessment and evaluation and for cyber charter school requirements and prohibitions, providing for fund balance limits and for educational management service providers, further providing for school district and intermediate unit responsibilities and for establishment of cyber charter school, providing for renewal of charters, for charter amendments and for causes for nonrenewal, revocation or termination and further providing for State Charter School Appeal Board review, for cyber charter school application, for enrollment and notification and for applicability of other provisions of this act and of other acts and regulations.

PA HB1422

In preliminary provisions, providing for advertising and sponsorships; in charter schools, further providing for definitions and for funding for charter schools, providing for funding for cyber charter schools, for cyber charter school requirements, for powers and composition of board of trustees and for educational management service providers, further providing for powers and duties of department and for assessment and evaluation, providing for annual reports and public reporting and for fund balance limits, further providing for cyber charter school requirements and prohibitions and for school district and intermediate unit responsibilities, providing for access to other schools' facilities, further providing for establishment of cyber charter school, providing for renewals, for charter amendments and for causes for nonrenewal, revocation or termination, further providing for State Charter School Appeal Board review, for cyber charter school application and for enrollment and notification, providing for enrollment parameters and for enrollee wellness checks and further providing for applicability of other provisions of this act and of other acts and regulations.

PA SB799

In charter schools, further providing for funding for charter schools.

PA HB574

In charter schools, further providing for funding for charter schools.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.