PA Distance Learning - Attendance Policy

What is PA Distance Learning Charter School’s attendance policy?

PA Distance is a unique public school, in that instruction takes place almost entirely outside a regular school building. As such, the traditional measure of attendance is not an apt way to measure whether a student is routinely participating in the Program. Instead, accountability of student activities and participation is measured by reporting of curriculum-based Educational Learning Hours engaged in by the Student. 

Pennsylvania Public School Law requires children to receive the following Educational Learning Hours:

Kindergarten:
2.5 hours per day
Approximately 12.5 hours per week, completing a minimum of 450 hours per year

Grades 1-6:
5.0 hours per day
Approximately 25 hours per week, completing a minimum of 900 hours per year

Grades 7-12:
5.5 hours per day
Approximately 27.5 hours per week, completing a minimum of 990 hours per year 

We have found that, through our unique approach to learning, many students have opportunities to learn and can work on curriculum 24 hours a day, seven days a week often completing 30 or more learning hours per week.

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Accordingly, parents are required to report (log) the curriculum based Educational Learning Hours engaged in by students under their guardianship daily through the Pennsylvania Distance Learning Charter School (PDLCS) Learning Management System (LMS). Prompt, routine logging of hours by the parent ensures that hours are accurately reflected in the student’s records avoiding truancy issues. It is required that the logged Educational Learning Hours are accompanied by specific descriptions of the educational work the child has completed. These hours must be based on specific Course Requirements or Lesson Plans assigned by each classroom teacher.

Attendance Policy Link

Frequently Asked Attendance Policy Questions

Do I have to go to school 180 days like in a traditional school?
The State of Pennsylvania requires a minimum of 180 days of instruction. Students are expected to log into the school website and to complete work everyday PA Distance is in session.

Can the teachers tell if I’m in their virtual classroom or not?
Teachers take attendance in their virtual classes. They know if you are there or not, as well as whether you are paying attention or not.

What happens if I get sick?
Students who are unable to log in to school must notify the school with the reason for the absence. A doctor's note may be required for three or more days of absence in a row due to illness.

What if my family observes a religious holiday outside of those outlined on the calendar?

An absence may be considered excused if the tenets of a bona fide religion, to which a student or his/her parent adhere, require observance of a religious event. (22 Pa. Code § 11.21) The parent must submit written request for the excusal prior to the absence.

Can I take time to attend an educational tour/trip not sponsored by the school?
An absence may be excused when it is demonstrated that the purpose of the absence is to take advantage of a valid educational opportunity (including classes for religious instruction totaling not more than 36 hours per academic school year) pursuant to 22 Pa. Code § 11.21), if (i) the student's parent submits written request for the excusal prior to the tour or trip, (ii) approval for such an absence is granted prior to the absence in accordance with the Student Educational Leave of Absence Policy, and (iii) there is an adult who is directing and supervising the student during the tour or trip who is acceptable to both the parents and PDLCS. (22 Pa. Code § 11.26)

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What is truancy?
Under Pennsylvania law, a school must take specific remedial actions if a student does not routinely attend school (report Educational Learning Hours). These actions include, but are not limited to, the following:
1. For any student who fails, without legitimate excuse, to participate in 10 consecutive school days in any academic year, that student must be removed from PDLCS and reported to the school district of residence.
2. In the event that a parent of a student fails to cause that student to attend school (this includes not logging the student’s hours), and the child is considered to be a habitual truant, defined as any child of compulsory school age who is absent without legitimate excuse from the school for more than three consecutive school days, the school may:
A. Take any action delineated in any intervention strategy approved by the Board of Directors of the school; and/or
B. Notify the student’s School District of Residence that the student is currently truant. The District of Residence may levy fines or pursue truancy charges with the local magistrate according to BEC 17-1701. In the event that a child is considered to be a habitual truant as defined above, the School District of Residence may file a complaint in the juvenile court of the county in which the child has a residence or legal settlement or in which the child is supposed to attend school, jointly against the child and/or the parent of the child. A complaint filed in the juvenile court under this provision shall allege that the child is delinquent for being a chronic truant and that the parent of the child has violated BEC 17-1701. In the event of students 17 years of age and older with 10 or more consecutive days of unexcused absence, the local school district of residency shall be notified and if the local school district determines that the student should be dropped from their rolls for school abandonment, PDLCS will also drop the student from its rolls. (22 Pa. Code §§ 11.4 and 11.24)