Staff Writers
Cyber-charter school leaders say they offer a clear alternative to local school districts — and the expertise to provide the best online education.
"People are looking for a choice, not a cyber appendage to a brick-and-mortar school district," said Dr. Timothy Daniels, CEO of Achievement House Cyber Charter School, Exton.
Daniels and other cyber-charter chiefs criticize district cyber programs that rely on outside vendors for curriculum and in some cases, teachers, calling them "cyber school in a box."
Some cyber-charter CEOs accuse school districts of showing more interest in saving money than delivering quality online programs.
RELATED: CYBER-CHARTERS: How school districts are luring cyber students back
Dr. Maurice Flurie, CEO of Commonwealth Connections Academy, Harrisburg, said cyber-charters are the true experts in online education.
"Just because it's online doesn't mean it's good academic content," he said. "We've got 10 years of experience with our curriculum that we developed. School districts don't have that experience."
Commonwealth Connections students and families get more support than district cyber programs offer, Flurie said, and the school's staff is specially trained to teach lessons online.
Sharon Williams, head of school for Agora Cyber Charter School, Wayne, said unlike school districts, cyber-charters focus solely on providing a comprehensive online education.
"I applaud districts for giving the option, but I'm hoping the kids are getting all the supports," she said. "Because it's not just throwing a course online and calling it successful."
Jon Marsh, CEO of Exton-based 21st Century Cyber Charter School, said cyber-charters offer more flexibility for students, while school districts often try to make cyber programs fit their own schedules.
"Our school is all day long. This is what we do," Marsh said. "I don't have any part-time teachers. ... My teachers go till 8 at night."
21st Century teachers in every subject area are available online for 12 hours every weekday. If district cyber programs use their own teachers, their availability typically is limited, he said.
Marsh is confident that families ultimately will recognize that cyber-charters offer a superior education.
"In the long run, we're going to get [the students] back," he said. "This is something we do full time, not ... during an open period."
