Defunding Cyber Charters Threatens Special Education

Originally published by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Diagnosed with Level 2 Autism, Hope has been nonverbal most of her life, making traditional learning a challenge. And like many students (especially the neurodivergent), she struggled in her local district school.

“She did … OK,” says Maggie Parke, her mom, with notable hesitation. While she wasn’t failing, Hope wasn’t thriving, either.

Her academic inertia came as a surprise. Hope’s school district, Cumberland Valley, is well known for its top-tier, blue-ribbon public schools, ranking among the best in Pennsylvania, if not the nation. “That’s why we chose to live there,” Maggie says.

Read more at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.