Thousands of students across Pennsylvania charter schools were allowed into classrooms without required immunizations or exemptions during a major measles outbreak. An investigation revealed that nearly two-thirds of the state’s charter schools failed to enforce mandatory vaccination thresholds, collecting tens of millions in tax dollars in the past two years to cover tuition costs of students who are not in step with the state’s requirements.
Public health regulations across Pennsylvania require children to receive doses of five specific vaccines—including two for the measles—before enrolling in kindergarten. Additional immunizations against diseases like whooping cough and meningitis are mandated in the 7th and 12th grades. Yet an investigation by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette shows that enforcement mechanisms have broken down substantially within the state’s charter sector.
Statewide Enforcement Failures and Charter School Rates
Last year, nearly 6,000 children lacking proper immunization standards or approved waivers attended classes across both brick-and-mortar and cyber schools. Of the 170 charter schools operating statewide, nearly two-thirds permitted students to enter classrooms without meeting the required vaccine thresholds. While public schools recorded roughly one student for every 40 enrolled who fell short of meeting the state’s requirements, charter schools saw a significantly higher proportion, with nearly one in six students falling short.
The lax enforcement coincides with a severe public health crisis. Pennsylvania remains mired in one of the largest measles outbreaks in the country, logging more than 379 cases as students return to school. Only two other states have reported a higher volume of illnesses this year, prompting health experts to warn that even more children will be exposed to the virus.
“We expect schools to be following the law,” said Tarik Khan, a nurse practitioner and Democratic state lawmaker from Philadelphia who is a member of the House Health committee. “They’re there to protect the children.”
Tarik Khan, nurse practitioner and Democratic state lawmaker from Philadelphia
Financial Stakes and Institutional Responses
As these enrollment practices persisted, the affected schools collectively collected tens of millions of dollars in tax dollars in the past two years to cover tuition costs for students who are not in step with the state’s requirements. Funding structures allocate more than $14,000 on average from local school districts for every new charter student, depending on where the child lives, with considerably higher amounts for special education students.
Individual institutions named in the reporting defended their student engagement practices while acknowledging gaps in documentation. At Chester Community Charter School in Delaware County—one of the largest charters in the state—at least 238 students attended classes without required shots or waivers last year. Meanwhile, Mastery Charter schools in Philadelphia reported 408 noncompliant students, and KIPP Philadelphia public schools recorded 128.
“Exclusion is a tool available to schools,” said Mark Battinieri, chief executive officer for Chester Community Charter School. “… it is not one CCCS defaults to before exhausting family engagement.”
Mark Battinieri, chief executive officer for Chester Community Charter School
Administrators from the charter networks maintained that financial considerations played no role in their enrollment decisions. Officials explained that many families navigate barriers to healthcare access, and in certain instances, children are immunized but lack their vaccine records. Staff members work with families throughout the year to bring records up to date and work with school-based health care providers to expand access to vaccination opportunities.
“We work with families throughout the year to bring records up to date,” said Chatara Benson, chief of staff for KIPP. “We have and will continue to work with our school-based health care providers to expand access to vaccination opportunities.”
Chatara Benson, chief of staff for KIPP
Regulatory Boundaries and Ongoing Oversight Questions
State health authorities maintain that their agency lacks the power under the law to enforce vaccine mandates. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Health, the responsibility to ensure compliance rests with school directors, superintendents, principals, or other persons in charge of the schools. The department asserts that all students must abide by the rules or risk exclusion.
With health officials projecting even more children will be exposed to the virus as the academic term proceeds, scrutiny over local oversight remains high.