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Questions About Virtual School
 Who may be admitted to PA Distance?
Any school-aged student residing in Pennsylvania who is eligible to attend kindergarten through 12th grade may apply to PA Distance for admission.
What is the cost of tuition for PA Distance?
As a publicly funded and operated charter school, PA Distance does not charge tuition. Likewise, year-round access to the computer, printer/fax/scanner/copier, and curriculum is provided to each student free of charge as long as the student is enrolled with PA Distance Learning Charter School.
What resources does PA Distance provide?
• Complete computer system, including a color printer/fax/scanner
• Standards based curriculum
• Dedicated teachers to instruct each family and student
• Live, interactive, online learning sessions
• 24-hour access to view student progress, grades, and curriculum
• Immediate access to online tutoring and homework help
• Reimbursement to assist with high-speed Internet connection costs
• Academic field trips
• Technical support from expert staff
• Supplemental funds to use for enhanced educational activities which accumulate after the 1st year of enrollment in PA Distance
How much time is the student required to commit to the curriculum?
High school students must log a minimum of 990 total hours of learning time each academic year. Elementary students are required to complete 900 hours of learning time each academic year. A minimum of 25 logged hours per week is necessary to successfully complete PA Distance curriculum for K-6 students and 27.5 logged hours for 7-12 students. We have found that through our unique approach to learning, many students complete 30 or more learning hours per week.
What programs does PA Distance offer children with special education needs?
PA Distance provides a special-education program in accordance with current federal and state regulations. The program is individualized to meet the unique needs of each child identified as special need. Educational evaluations are available for all students who have previously been or are currently identified with special learning needs.
Are the teachers licensed?
Yes! All PA Distance teachers are highly qualified and certified by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
How do families and students communicate with the staff?
We have found that there is no such thing as too much communication. Our most successful families are in constant communication with their teachers, academic advisors and special education teachers. Families can communicate with staff through email, fax, telephone or U.S. mail.
Is testing required?
Yes! In accordance with PA statutes, PA Distance students are required to take the following tests:
• Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) (grades 3-8 and 11)
• Scantron (grades 2-12)
Please note that PSSA testing is done outside the home at a location no more than 50 miles from your home. PA Distance also creates lesson, unit and semester assessments as necessary to monitor curriculum progress.
What are the traits of a successful PA Distance student?
Many of our best PA Distance students are those who are intrinsically motivated and strive constantly to achieve more. They are students who are eager to learn more about how things work and want to advance their content knowledge. Many of them do not feel challenged in their current school setting, or they want to move through curriculum more aggressively rather than having to hold back on their learning just because they have to wait for other students to catch up. Conversely, many PA Distance students enjoy being able to spend more time on some subjects and less on others while still meeting required deadlines for course work. Either way, PA Distance is a win-win situation for students and families alike who want more out of their education.
Who grades my student's work?
PA Distance certified teachers grade required assignments. Each curriculum selected provides for grading of the student’s tests and submitted work. The student's scores on tests and submitted work determine whether the student has mastered the course objectives.
Should I set up a particular space for the computer?
Yes. Students with a dedicated learning environment are better equipped to focus and succeed. You also will need to allow for adequate desktop or tabletop space for an average sized computer, printer, and monitor.
What if I already have my own computer?
PA Distance provides a computer specifically designed for distance learning. The computer will arrive with all the resources necessary to provide a high-quality education for your student. Your current home computer may not meet your student's needs, and therefore the PA Distance computer is being provided to your family at no cost.
What if it becomes necessary for my child to withdraw from PA Distance?
If the need or desire to withdraw your student from the program arises, you may withdraw your child from PA Distance at any time. To withdraw your student you must complete, sign and submit an official withdrawal form and return any PA Distance-provided equipment and curriculum. The Pa Distance Records manager can provide an official withdrawal form.
Can I direct a portion of education spending for my child?
A unique feature of the PA Distance program is that it allows parents/guardians to direct the education of their children. PA Distance accomplishes this by allocating certain funds to the Parent Supplemental Education Account (PSEA). The PSEA allows parents/guardians to request the school spend funds towards specific educational areas, materials and events that PA Distance curriculum may not cover in depth, but which the parent/guardian and student deem important to the student’s development.
Does my student get to keep the computer equipment when they complete the program or withdraw from PA Distance?
No. The computer equipment remains the property of PA Distance and must be returned upon your student’s completion of the program or upon withdrawal from PA Distance.
Do I need to be actively involved with my child’s curriculum?
The parent educator must be actively involved in their child’s curriculum on a daily basis.
What if I already have my own printer?
The color printer/fax/scanner/copier allows your student to complete and turn in assignments to his/her teacher. Your current equipment may not meet your student's needs and therefore the PA Distance printer/fax/scanner/copier is being provided at no cost. Our charter, granted by the State, requires that we send all necessary equipment to each household where we have a student(s) enrolled.
Do I have to have Internet service in my home prior to enrolling my student?
It is highly recommended that you have a high-speed internet connection (eg. Roadrunner / DSL). PA Distance will provide quarterly reimbursements towards obtaining a high-speed internet connection.
Can my school district prevent me from enrolling my child in the PA Distance Learning Charter School or force me to pay tuition for my child to attend PDLCS?
No. Even if the school district has offers cyber courses, a school district cannot prevent you from enrolling your child in a cyber charter school. The district cannot avoid their financial responsibility or compel you to pay the tuition for your child's attendance at a charter school if you choose to enroll your child.
What if I am currently home schooling?
PA Distance can provide an additional platform of choices for your home education experience, making it ideal for home-schooled students. It is also an alternative to home schooling. While some home-school educators prefer a learning environment completely independent from traditional education, others would prefer to integrate home education with some form of achievement measures such as Scantron Assessment testing. They may also appreciate the online assistance of fully certified teachers. PA Distance provides online curriculum, as well as supplemental materials aligned with the Pennsylvania Department of Education Standards, and covers the software licensing costs of these options.
In addition, distance learning with PA Distance provides an additional avenue for transition to major university programs. Today, even the most prestigious schools such as MIT are admitting home-schooled students on a regular basis. The PA Distance program provides the additional support of a high school diploma from a state-chartered distance education program.
Can my child still participate in extracurricular activities sponsored by our local school district? Yes! Your child may participate in band, chorus, theater, drama, the debate team, sports teams, as well as other other offerings by the district. This is covered in the Basic Education Circular:(9.) http://www.pde.state.pa.us/k12/cwp/view.asp?A=11&Q=121873
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