Update on Recent Hearing on Cyber Charter Reform

Rep. Melissa Cerrato February 27, 2026

Dear Friends,

I want to share an update from a recent policy hearing I attended on cyber charter reform. There has been a great deal of discussion on this topic, and it is important to be clear about what is being considered.

I am fully aware that different children learn best in different environments. Families make educational choices for many reasons, and I do not judge any parent for choosing a cyber charter school if that is what works for their child. That choice will remain in place. What we are examining is long overdue reform to the way these schools are funded and how they are held accountable for student outcomes.

Cyber charter enrollment has grown significantly in recent years. Pennsylvania is currently home to fourteen cyber charter schools that enrolled nearly sixty thousand students statewide during the 2023-24 school year. At the same time, a performance audit of five cyber charter schools found that from 2020 to 2023, their revenues increased by $425 million and their financial reserves grew by 140%. This growth was driven largely by an outdated funding formula that does not reflect actual instructional costs or set limits on reserve funds.

Meanwhile, some cyber charters are spending millions of taxpayer dollars on television commercials while school districts are required to pay two, three, and sometimes four times what it would cost to educate the same child in a brick-and-mortar public school.

My responsibility is to ensure that every child receives the best possible education while also addressing corruption and financial practices that allow public dollars to be funneled away from classrooms and into excessive reserves or advertising budgets.

Last year’s state budget included important steps toward addressing these issues. Public school districts are expected to save an estimated $178 million on cyber charter tuition under the new budget provisions, which also strengthened oversight of cyber charter operations. These changes reflect bipartisan agreement that the current system places an unfair financial burden on local districts and taxpayers.

As legislators, we are responsible for ensuring that taxpayer dollars are used wisely, transparently, and fairly. Every child in Pennsylvania deserves access to a strong public education. To achieve that, all publicly funded schools, including cyber charter schools, must meet consistent standards for student success and responsible financial management.

When failure rates are high, accountability cannot be optional. Our responsibility is to make sure expectations are clear, outcomes are monitored, and public funds are not continually directed to schools that are not meeting their obligations to students and families.

This work is rooted in fairness, transparency, and a commitment to doing what is right for every child in our Commonwealth. I continue to support policies that strengthen our education system, provide families with meaningful choices, and ensure that public dollars truly serve the public good.

Thank you for staying engaged and informed. I look forward to continuing this conversation with you.

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