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Urgent: Action Needed to Ensure Funding for Special Needs Charter School Students

CER Action Alert
Washington, D.C.
April 22, 2014

Pennsylvania legislators are in danger of compromising special needs charter school students with legislation that has made it through House and Senate subcommittees dealing with a new funding model. HB 2138 and SB 1316 are identical pieces of legislation that will cause major inequities for special education students, especially those in Keystone State charter schools.

These abrupt funding changes can and will cripple the charter schools to the point that many will close.  A child with the same challenges will be receiving 30-60 percent less state financial support in the family’s chosen charter school than if they remained in the traditional public school district.

The decreased funding may also prevent some charter schools from meeting mandated state and federal Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) requirements.

At a time when charter school proliferation is becoming more integral to student success across the nation, legislation of this nature would be a serious setback for charter schools and the students they serve.

Tell Pennsylvania legislators it’s absolutely essential to reverse course on HB 2138 and SB 1316, and to instead embrace best practices when it comes to ensuring all Keystone State students have access to an education that best meets their needs.

Click here to find your legislator and make your voice heard.
Click here to support all special education families in Pennsylvania.

For more on the damaging effects of this funding formula, see:
Proposed Legislation Unfairly Discriminates Against Special Education Students
New special ed funding formula hurts charter schools, advocates say