Peter Schweyer
Coverage of Peter Schweyer in the Nexus archive.
- Pa. cyber charter funding remains steady as legislators emphasize student well-being
Pennsylvania's cyber charter school funding remains steady this year despite previous cuts, with new policies mandating weekly wellness checks for students. Lawmakers, including Democrats and Republicans, emphasized student safety and accountability, while school leaders expressed gratitude for maintaining financial stability.
- Pa.’s public school code puts a priority on student safety, mental health
Pennsylvania’s 2026-27 budget includes new school code initiatives prioritizing student safety and mental health, allocating $900 million for public schools, $100 million for mental health and safety resources, and implementing policies on cyberbullying, social media literacy, and eating disorder awareness education.
- Small cyber charter leaders in Pa. raise alarm over calls for funding reform
Leaders of Pennsylvania's small cyber charter schools argue recent funding reforms have harmed students and created unintended consequences. Act 47 of 2025 caused a $238 million funding decrease for 14 cyber charter schools, with smaller schools struggling more than larger ones. The reforms include stricter transfer rules for truant students and biannual residency verification.
- House Education Committee passes cyber student safety bill after heated debate
The House Education Committee passed a bill requiring cyber charter schools to implement student safety measures, including mandatory camera use during live instruction and protocols for reporting concerns. The bill faced opposition from GOP lawmakers, who argued it unfairly targets online education and limits parental choice, and passed with a 14-12 vote.