The document provides information about PA Distance Learning Charter School, a public cyber charter school. It discusses the school's overview, benefits, curriculum, admissions process, and contact information. Key points include that it serves grades K-12, uses an interactive online curriculum aligned to state standards, and provides students with equipment, highly qualified teachers, and academic support and enrichment opportunities.
1. Welcome to
PDLCS
Welcome to
PA Distance Learning Charter School
2012-2013
2. Discussion Objectives
PA Distance Overview
PA Distance Benefits
Curriculum
Admissions Process
Contact Information
3. PDLCS Overview
Making an Educated Decision for Your Child
Public school operating under the PA Department of Education
Instruction for students in grades kindergarten through twelfth
PA Distance Learning opened in the fall of 2004
Class sizes are approximately 15-25 students
Interactive online curriculum aligned to PA state standards
Live learning and instruction (Angel Learning)
Courses are taught by highly qualified teachers
4. Connect
The face of education is changing.
PA Distance Learning helps students connect to academic
success in a vibrant online environment.
Students will:
Join our state-wide virtual learning
community with their provided
computer system
Learn using high-quality curriculum,
Attend online real-time classes
taught by highly qualified teachers
Maintain regular communication with
teachers via phone and e-mail
Enjoy peer interaction during online
classes, in clubs, or through
discussion boards
Learn in a safe, familiar, comfortable
environment
5. Engage
The flexibility and dynamic interaction of an online school
allows for many innovative learning opportunities.
A mix of independent work and virtual classrooms
address different learning styles.
Students apply and extend their
learning through:
• Projects • Exams
• Experiments • Purposeful Discussions
• Writing Activities • Group Tasks
• Presentations • High quality curriculum
6. Engage
Students engage with teachers:
In a group
Individually
Via online classes
By phone
Through email
7. Engage
Students engage with peers:
Through supervised chat rooms
By writing for the school newspapers
Becoming involved in various clubs
Through working on a literary
magazine
By participating in field trips
In class group work
By joining discussion boards
By volunteering for peer tutoring
8. Succeed
The best practice of curriculum and instruction is to help
learners make sense of and master skills and ideas.
The first step to success is providing a comprehensive orientation
to learning in an online environment.
Next, we provide strategies for effective study.
Throughout the year a mix of independent work and virtual
classrooms address different learning styles.
Students learn differently and we support them throughout the
year.
The school and teachers
continuously help students by
clearly communicating:
Expectations
Assignment guidelines
Grading Criteria
9. Succeed
Our ultimate goal is for our students’ success to continue
beyond graduation.
We prepare all students for
continuing and higher
education.
Our unique environment gives
students 21st Century skills:
Communication
competence
Technological proficiency
The ability to work
independently as well as
with others
Self motivation
10. PA Distance Frequently
Asked Questions
Our school calendar follows the traditional school year
Attendance is taken each day and recorded by the
parent/guardian logging hours. The daily hours logged must be
substantiated by completion of course assignments.
Students are required to attend school
2.5 hours/day for kindergarten
5 hours/day for grades 1-6
5.5 hours/day for grades 7-12
Flexibility in scheduling the school day at home is available,
with the exception of scheduled live
learning sessions, which are
mandatory for all students.
11. PA Distance Standardized
Testing Requirements
Pennsylvania System of Schools Assessment
The Pennsylvania System of Schools Assessment (or PSSA) is
a mandatory standardized test administered in all Pennsylvania
public schools. Students take the Writing PSSA while enrolled
in grades 5, 8 and 11. Math and Reading are administered
during grades 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 11. The Science PSSA test is
also given to students in grades 4, 8 and 11. Testing locations
are generally within 45 minutes of student’s home. Travel to
testing is the responsibility of the parent/guardian.
12. PA Distance Standardized
Testing Requirements
Scantron Testing – Grades 2-12
Scantron's Performance Series provides students with
individualized tests. The online test adjusts automatically to
each student's ability level, generating questions that will
appropriately challenge each student. Scantron tests provide
results immediately so that teachers can impact instruction and
properly asses the enrichment and remediation needs of a
student. The test will be administered at least two times per year
to provide teachers with the data necessary to provide
individualized data driven instruction. Students complete the
Scantron tests at home by accessing the Scantron testing
website from their school computer.
13. PA Distance Benefits
Why Choose Our Public Cyber
Charter School?
Safety – working in the comfort of
your home
Highly qualified staff members
High technology instruction
Increased family involvement
Remediation opportunities
Acceleration opportunities
14. PA Distance Benefits
Why Choose PA
Distance?
Staff
Certified, highly qualified
teachers
Special Education
teachers
Academic Advisors
Administration
Support Staff
Technical Support
Family Outreach
Coordinator
And more!
15. PA Distance Benefits
Why Choose PA Distance
Learning?
Equipment – Students are loaned the
materials necessary to be successful in our
online learning environment!
Computer
Printer/scanner/fax
Microphone
Graphing calculator for students in 8th grade and
up
Online textbooks, novels and workbooks
Supplemental resources and curriculum
FLEx Funds: Money supplied to supplement
additional educational opportunities
16. PA Distance Benefits
Why Choose PA Distance Learning?
Family involvement
We actively encourage parents to be involved with every aspect of
the learning experience.
We believe that a successful student is the product of a strong
curriculum and highly engaged parents and teachers.
Training
Students and parents are provided training on all curricula and
instructional programs used by PA Distance via our course delivery
system Angel Learning
Support
Teachers, technical support, and student service staff are available
by phone or e-mail
Help is at your fingertips!
17. PA Distance Benefits
Remediation
Our priority is having each student reach his/her potential.
Sometimes a little extra help is required for a student to be
successful. PA Distance Learning is committed to providing the
extra help for students to be successful including:
Extra tutoring opportunities by our teachers
Individualized study sessions
Classes or curriculum designed to build skill levels
Intervention programs
Recorded classes for review
18. PA Distance Benefits
Acceleration
Our priority is having each student
reach his/her potential.
Part of individualized education is
catering to advanced learners.
PA Distance offers a wide range of
academic acceleration including:
A variety of course choices
Honors level options for high
school students
Curriculum availability 24/7
Extended learning opportunities
for students to explore material in
greater depth
19. PA Distance Benefits
Other PA Distance Learning Services:
Field Trips FLEx Funds: Parent
Honors Courses Supplemental Education
24/7 Online Curriculum Account
Student based clubs PA Accredited Diploma
Graduation Ceremony
Student Assistance Program
(Spanish, Literary,
Recorder)
20. PA Distance Benefits
Student Assistance Program
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Student Assistance Program
(SAP) is designed to assist school personnel in identifying issues,
including problems with alcohol and other drugs, which pose a barrier to
a student’s learning and success in school. SAP is not a treatment
program; rather, it is a systematic process using effective and
accountable professional techniques to mobilize school resources to
remove those barriers to learning, and where the problems are beyond
the scope of the school, to assist the student and their parents with
information so they may access services in the community. The SAP
team does not diagnose, treat or refer for treatment but they may refer
for an assessment for treatment.
21. PDLCS Mission
MISSION
PA Distance Learning ’s mission is to offer a valuable educational alternative;
to practice and promote academic integrity; to present quality curriculum,
technology, and support; and to foster academic excellence in our
students.
To help us carry out our mission, the University of Pittsburgh Tri-State Study
Council, an independent team of auditors, is working with our staff to
conduct a three-tier curriculum audit of our school. Well renowned in the
field of education, Tri-State was hired by our Board of Trustees to ensure
every student in PA Distance receives the quality education they deserve.
Tri-State has commended PA Distance Learning for the course delivery
system (Angel Learning), the consistent template used for all courses, the
use of discussion boards to enhance instruction and informal assessment,
and for integrating study aide resources into the courses.
22. Angel Homepage
This sample homepage shows how easy it is to access
current grades, course curriculum, and email.
23. Kindergarten
Math
hands-on activities to support learned skills
Language Arts
Leveled reading material to build letter/sound recognition
Daily live interactive classes with peers
HeadSprout/Star Fall
Highly interactive Internet based program that encourages and
supports emerging readers
Online lesson plans and activities
26. Curriculum Supplementals - Elementary
Brain Pop Jr. (Study Aid)
http://www.brainpop.com
Study Island (Standardized Test Prep Aid)
http://www.studyisland.com
27. Children’s Progress Academic Assessment
The Children’s Progress Academic Assessment (CPAA) is an
early childhood assessment system that helps teachers focus
classroom instruction to achieve the greatest learning gains for
each child.
The software is linked immediately to generated reports and
helps teachers, parents and administrators gain essential
insights about each child’s understanding of Language Arts
and Mathematics concepts.
Best of all, our assessments are independently completed by
students, allowing educators to spend more time teaching
instead of grading and administering tests!
Students in
Kindergarten through
2nd grade will take the
CPAA in the Fall,
Winter, and Spring.
28. Title I Program
(3rd – 6th Grade)
What is Title I? As the largest federal program
supporting elementary education,
Title I is a federal assistance Title I is designed to:
program that was enacted in 1965. 1. Help children learn better in
school.
It is intended to help ensure that 2. Help teachers better understand
all children have the opportunity the needs of your student.
to obtain a high quality education
and reach proficiency on 3. Help parents become more
challenging state academic involved with their children’s
standards and assessments. education.
4. Help schools purchase the
Title I provides funding that is training supplies and equipment
used to provide extra help to the necessary to reach its academic
students who need it most. goals.
29. Curriculum – Middle School (7th & 8th)
Holt Online
http://my.hrw.com
Creativity Express Art
http://www.madcaplogic.com
30. Curriculum – High School
Holt Online
http://my.hrw.com
Creativity Express (Art)
http://www.madcaplogic.com/
31. Admissions Process
How to Apply
1. Log into www.padistance.org
2. Click on the Enroll Now link (as seen below).
3. Create an account
4. Compile all required documentation as specified
5. Submit all forms to Admissions Department
32. Admissions
Required Documentation
In addition to the forms you will print from the Online Application, you
will need to provide the following documents:
Immunization Records for every child no exceptions
Private Dentist Form (K, 1, 3, 7) and ALL new students
Private Physician Form (K, 1, 6, 11) and ALL new students
Student Birth Certificate
Proof of Guardian Residence
Complete Academic and Testing Records (Report Card K-8, Transcript 9-12 and
PSSA scores if applicable)
Custodial Papers
34. Contact Information
PA Distance Learning Charter School
2100 Corporate Drive, Suite 500
Wexford, PA 15090
www.padistance.org
888-997-3352
Call us anytime with questions!
Our staff is committed to helping parent/guardians make an informed decision!