Abington Heights superintendent urges outcome‑based accountability for charter schools
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Summary
Superintendent Dr. Shaffer told the school board he will testify at a Feb. 9 charter‑reform hearing and urged the legislature to tie charter funding and expansion to student outcomes, citing higher proficiency, growth, attendance and graduation rates at Abington Heights compared with Commonwealth Charter Academy.
Superintendent Dr. Shaffer told the Abington Heights School District board during public comment that he will testify on Feb. 9 at a charter‑reform hearing and urged lawmakers to link public funding and growth decisions for charter schools to student outcomes. He said the Commonwealth’s Future Ready PA index — which includes PSSA and Keystone exam performance, growth, attendance and graduation rates — shows Abington Heights students “demonstrate substantially higher levels of proficiency” and meet or exceed state growth standards, while Commonwealth Charter Academy shows lower growth and attendance measures.
Shaffer said accountability should follow funding and suggested legislative limits on expansion for charter operators that “are unable to meet these measures,” proposing that districts or charters not be allowed to grow enrollment or invest in real estate until they show improved outcomes. He framed the proposal as one for “equity, transparency, and consistency,” not an attack on parental choice, and said families and taxpayers deserve clear information about school performance.
Shaffer pointed to attendance and graduation rates as critical indicators of engagement and long‑term impact, arguing cyber charter environments should show strong engagement if flexibility is a benefit. He also referenced recent state action on a school cellphone ban, noting lawmakers are addressing some student‑wellness issues but have not, in his view, sufficiently addressed online charter school outcomes.
The superintendent said he will submit written testimony and present district data comparing Abington Heights to Commonwealth Charter Academy at the hearing, and urged lawmakers to consider policy tools such as pausing expansion, withholding growth funds, or restricting certain capital expenditures for operators with persistently low outcomes. He did not specify particular statutory language or bill numbers for such measures during the meeting.
The board did not debate or take action on Shaffer’s proposals during the session; his remarks were entered as public comment and will form part of his testimony to the General Assembly on Feb. 9.