HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) — The Pennsylvania House passed an attempt to limit the amount school districts have to pay to cyber charter schools today.

There are more than 65,000 students in Pennsylvania cyber charter schools. Their home school districts pick up the tab, which wildly varies. That’s why Governor Shapiro called for an $8,000 cap on cyber charter tuition.

House Bill 1500, which offers several reforms and accountability measures, will pass the House on Wednesday. However, the bill will cap cyber charters at $8,000, meaning school districts would have to write smaller checks.

Advocates of cyber charter schools argue it would be crippling and harmful for the families that chose them.

“What we’re looking at here is money and funding,” said Marcus Hite, the Executive Director of the PA ASSOC of Public Cyber Charter Schools. “What about the kids? What about the families that are leaving school districts for bullying, for lack of services, for mental issues? We’re worried about the money. Yes, the money is one thing, but nobody is taking into consideration the impact of the 65,000-plus students and families.”

Republicans see it as an assault on school choice.

“Let’s do the math,” said Rep. Martina White (R-Philadelphia). “We’re setting a tuition rate too low for schools to operate. Plus, confiscating the reserve funds equals shutting down cyber charter schools.”

“Let me be very clear,” said Senate Majority Leader Jesse Topper (R). “If we destroy cyber charters in Pennsylvania, the high school dropout rate will skyrocket. Where will those students go?”

Eileen Cannistraci runs Insight Cyber Charter, and she says many of her students are vulnerable with special needs, are bullied, and even homeless.

“I think it’s unfair. I do.” said Cannistraci. “Trying to make cuts that help school districts off the backs of cyber school students attending public schools, and that’s very disheartening to me.”

Since 2010, Auditors General have called for tuition reimbursement reforms. A recent report highlighted excesses in spending and reserve accounts. Democrats ask about its accountability.

“The largest cyber school in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has a 4.7% proficiency rating in mathematics,” said Rep. Peter Schweyer (D), the Chair of the Education Committee. “That’s what we’re paying for, and not even 6% of their kids can pass basic math. I’m not even asking for double digits at this point in time. Can we get to six?”

“When I go to a Phillies game, the first 5 minutes is in a commercial for some cyber charter school,” said Rep. Matt Bradford (D). “I don’t know if they educated a single child.”

The bill passed mostly along party lines and now goes to the Senate where it could be part of budget negotiations.

Two other reforms include a residency check, making sure the student actually lives in the district. Another is a wellness check, making sure teachers are actually seeing the student on the other end of that computer.