Section 17-1743-A - Cyber charter school requirements and prohibitions(a) Special financial requirements prohibited.--A cyber charter school shall not: (1) provide discounts to a school district or waive payments under section 1725-A for any student;(2) except as provided for in subsection (e), provide payments to parents or guardians for the purchase of instructional materials; or(3) except as compensation for the provision of specific services, enter into agreements to provide funds to a school entity.(b) Enrollment.--A cyber charter school shall report to the department an increase or a decrease of 30% or more in its anticipated enrollment set forth in the application under section 1747-A(11) . (c) School district.--A cyber charter school shall make available upon request, either in writing or electronically, to each student's school district of residence the following:(1) A copy of the charter.(2) A copy of the cyber charter school application.(3) A copy of all annual reports prepared by the cyber charter school.(4) A list of all students from that school district enrolled in the cyber charter school.(d) Parent or guardian.--Upon request and prior to the student's first day in a cyber charter school, the cyber charter school shall, either in writing or electronically, provide to the parent or guardian of a student the following: (1) A list and brief description of the courses of instruction the student will receive. The list shall be updated annually for each grade level in which the student is enrolled.(2) A description of the lessons and activities to be offered both online and offline.(3) The manner in which attendance will be reported and work will be authenticated.(4) A list of all standardized tests the student will be required to take during the school year and the place where the test will be administered, if available.(5) The meetings to be held during the school year between a parent or guardian and a teacher and among other school officials or parents or guardians and the manner in which the parent or guardian will be notified of the time and place for the meeting.(6) The address of the cyber charter school and the name, telephone number and e-mail address of the school administrator and other school personnel.(7) A list of any extracurricular activities provided by the cyber charter school.(8) The names of the student's teachers, if available, and the manner in which each teacher can be contacted by the student or the parent or guardian.(9) A list of all services that will be provided to the student by the cyber charter school.(10) Copies of policies relating to computer security and privacy, truancy, absences, discipline and withdrawal or expulsion of students.(11) Information on: (i) The cyber charter school's professional staff, including the number of staff personnel, their education level and experience.(ii) The cyber charter school's performance on the PSSA and other standardized test scores.(12) Information regarding the proper usage of equipment and materials and the process for returning equipment and materials supplied to the students by the cyber charter school. A parent or guardian shall acknowledge, either in writing or electronically, the receipt of this information.(13) A description of the school calendar, including, but not limited to, the time frame that will constitute a school year and a school week, holidays and term breaks.(e) Students.--For each student enrolled, a cyber charter school shall:(1) provide all instructional materials;(2) provide all equipment, including, but not limited to, a computer, computer monitor and printer; and(3) provide or reimburse for all technology and services necessary for the on-line delivery of the curriculum and instruction. The Commonwealth shall not be liable for any reimbursement owed to students, parents or guardians by a cyber charter school under paragraph (3).
(f) Annual report.--A cyber charter school shall submit an annual report no later than August 1 of each year to the department in the form prescribed by the department.(g) Records and facilities.--A cyber charter school shall provide the department with ongoing access to all records and facilities necessary for the department to assess the cyber charter school in accordance with the provisions of this subdivision.(h) Offices and facilities.--A cyber charter school shall maintain an administrative office within this Commonwealth where all student records shall be maintained at all times and shall provide the department with the addresses of all offices and facilities of the cyber charter school, the ownership thereof and any lease arrangements. The administrative office of the cyber charter school shall be considered as the principal place of business for service of process for any action brought against the cyber charter school or cyber charter school staff members. The cyber charter school shall notify the department of any changes in this information within ten days of the change.(i) Applicable law.-- Any action taken against the cyber charter school, its successors or assigns or its employees, including any cyber charter school staff member as defined in the act of December 12, 1973 (P.L. 397, No. 141), known as the Professional Educator Discipline Act, shall be governed by the laws of this Commonwealth. If the department initiates an investigation or pursues an action pursuant to the Professional Educator Discipline Act involving any current or former charter school staff member outside this Commonwealth, any reasonable expenses incurred by the department in such investigation or action shall be paid by the cyber charter school which employed that staff member at the time of the alleged misconduct.1949, March 10, P.L. 30, No. 14, art. XVII-A, § 1743-A, added 2002, June 29, P.L. 524, No. 88, § 14, effective 7/1/2002.