“Wait and see” is UNACCEPTABLE
Sharon Sedlar | November 6, 2025
It is easy to take a “wait and see” approach – especially when you’re not the one whose child needs help; when you don’t have to live the heartache every single day; when you have options.
I never thought I would move my children from private education to district – ever. But I did.
I never thought I would move my children from district (by the way, I have TWO district graduates), but I did.
I never thought I would move my children to one of “those” cyber charter schools – but I did.
And while I was happy, the “others” weren’t my problem – but those “others” are children struggling – no, fighting rather – to survive. They are enduring astronomical hardship day after day, week after week with few solutions (if any) in sight.
I sometimes am criticized for acting quickly and not taking a measured approach. That I’m too impatient for “collaboration.” Well – if you heard heart-breaking stories every single day of kids being left behind, or having their educational refuge being threatened, you wouldn’t want to wait either.
I’m also sometimes criticized for being “too” authentic, “too” passionate. But honesty and passion are required (and gladly given) of me – it’s what I do day in and day out. Note: Educators, schools, etc are absolutely invested and their students are of priority 100%, but so too are schedules, health plans, contract negotiations, keeping the lights on, etc. Legislators are also concerned and work diligently to help Pennsylvania students; but it’s not their full-time job when faced with dozens of committees all requiring writing, reading, negotiating and voting on legislation that affects the entire Commonwealth.
The dynamic to tone down my affect and suit others – to work collaboratively and not offend – has had an effect of which I am not proud – the potential suffocation of a a critical option called cyber charter that serves (according to Rachel Langen, of Commonwealth Foundation) a 30% student body with special education needs, 2,300 ELL students, a homeless student rate of 4.25% (almost double that of districts), and 50% from low income households (this can go as high as 95% for some cyber charters, and we would submit that it’s likely those also come from some of the most dangerous, low-achieving districts but that deserves a closer look).
Cyber charter parents (they are PUBLIC schools, btw – just as a reminder!) and those who support them have been silenced or convinced that there isn’t a true danger. And, as Representation Anderson mentioned in his comments – “This is the frontline…You are under attack…They want to get rid of you – say the quiet part out loud…they want to get rid of cyber charters and another member said once we get rid of them we’ll go after charters…and then they’re going to go after private schools…”
Rep. Anderson continued to say that this is not only a student issue and a parent rights issue, but an issue for our entire republic and its future. There are many who, like me previously, think this won’t touch them; that they don’t need to activate. But no one knows what the future holds or what may come our way (ahem….COVID).
What position do you prefer as a parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, or student –
“Here it is. This is what we can offer you. You must work with it.”
OR
“We have many options to choose from for your child. Here they are…”
This isn’t the time to play nice. The rights of families to do what’s best for their child – district education included – is being eroded. “Wait and see” is not acceptable. “Trust us” is not acceptable. “We care about all kids too” without action to that effect is not acceptable.
We thank those brave legislators willing to listen to parents, students and families, and for doing what’s right for ALL Pennsylvania students; for coming from a place of care and concern for those most in need, marginalized, and (yes) persecuted simply for being or needing “different.” But they can’t do this alone. So let’s make K-12 education the student-centered model it’s truly supposed to be. Be loud. Be active. Alongside these amazing and supportive legislators, we must change the face of Pennsylvania education for the children, their futures, and the future of our Commonwealth.
