Back in May, State Rep. Karen Beyer introduced HB446, a bill that would cut funding and cap enrollment at Pennsylvania cyber schools, among other things. A biased summary can be read here.
The House Education Committee has scheduled hearings in the Pittsburgh area today and tomorrow to discuss this bill.
Pennsylvania Families for Cyber Schools has stated that this bill will close cyber schools in Pennsylvania. They have even taken a full page ad in this mornings The Morning Call, directed at Karen Beyer, urging her to really listen to the people at the hearings.
Cyber schools are a great alternative for many students who want a better education and for those who have trouble in the brick and mortar schools. The scores of these schools are amongst the highest in the state.
Letting these schools go would be a terrible idea.
Who is behind this: Rep. Karen Beyer is the sponser of the bill. There are many co-sponsors, including two local democrats, State Rep. Jennifer Mann and State Rep. Rich Grucela. They are just representing their special interests, however. The real culprit here is the PSEA and the PSBA. A simple search of the campaign contribution records indicates that Beyer received $3,500 in a single period last year from PSEA-PACE and over $4,500 in the last year! They have also made contributions to Mann.
Seems to me that Rep. Karen Beyer's real interest is in serving the special interests that contribute to her campaign.
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4 comments:
It's sad to see a teachers' union promote themselves over education. They are one of the professionals, along with doctors, lawyewrs and clerics. They must remember they are here "to serve." How do they do that by defeating this measure?
Rich Grucela, himself a former teacher, might have a different view. I'll ask him about this.
During this week's cyber education hearings on HB466 Rep. Karen Beyers had the audacity to accuse us cyberschool parents of allowing our children to sit and watch cartoons instead of doing school work. This woman is a disgrace and a sad representation of the office she holds. She owes us cyber school familes an apology. My Kindergartener started first grade Language Arts in February and Second Grade Math. She can easily read any chapter books targeted at second and third graders. You do not get those kind of results watching cartoons all day.
My husband and I are hands-on-parents...we do not use the television as a babysitter or educator!!!
I disagree with Karen Beyeer complettely. i love cyber school compared to the brick and motor schools. karen beyer has her head up her butt about money.
Thank you for posting on this relevant issue. It is imperative that we continue to educate the public about HB446. Karen Beyer claims HB446 is about "accountability" but if you understand current charter school law, you realize very quickly after reading HB4446 that this bill is really about money. For more information about Karen Beyer and her destructive piece of legislation visit cyberiscool.blogspot.com
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