Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Welcome toWelcome to
PA Distance Learning Charter SchoolPA Distance Learning Charter School
2014-20152014-2015
Welcome to PDLCS
Learning Is Fun Again!
Discussion Objectives
PA Distance Learning Overview
PA Distance Learning Benefits
Curriculum Admissions Process Contact Information
School Overview
Making an Educated Decision for Your Child
PA Distance Learning opened in the fall of 2004 We are a public school operating under the Pennsylvania
Department of Education Instruction for students in grades kindergarten through 12 The average class sizes is approximately 20-25 students Interactive online curriculum aligned to PA state standards Live learning and instruction Courses are taught by Highly Qualified teachers
We Connect
Students will: Join our state-wide virtual learning community with their
provided computer system backed by our technical support staff
Learn using high-quality curriculum Attend online real-time classes with Highly Qualified
teachers Maintain regular communication with teachers via
Cloudcast's Google Education Suite, phone & email Enjoy peer interaction during online classes,
in clubs, field trips, and through discussion boards Learn in a safe, familiar, comfortable environment
The Face of Education is ChangingPA Distance Learning helps students connect to
academic success in a vibrant online environment.
We Engage
A mix of independent work and virtual classrooms address different learning styles.
Students apply and extend their learning through:
The flexibility and dynamic interaction of an online school allows for many innovative learning opportunities.
• Projects• Experiments• Writing Activities• Presentations
• Exams• Purposeful Discussions• Group Tasks• High quality curriculum
We Engage
Students engage with teachers: In a group Individually Via online classes By phone Through email At events/field trips
We Engage
Students engage with peers: Through supervised chat rooms By becoming involved in various
clubs By participating in field trips In class group work By writing in the school
newsletters By joining discussion boards By volunteering for peer tutoring
We Succeed
The first step to success is providing a comprehensive orientation to learning in an online environment.
Next, we provide strategies for effective study.
The best practice of curriculum and instruction is to help learners make sense of and master skills and ideas.
The school and teachers continuously help students by clearly communicating: Expectations Assignment guidelines Grading criteria
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.
We Succeed
We prepare all students for continuing and higher education.
Our unique environment gives students 21st Century skills:
Communication competence
Technological proficient The ability to work
independently as well as with others
Self motivation
Our ultimate goal is for our students’ success to continue beyond graduation.
Frequently Asked Questions Our school calendar follows the traditional school year Attendance is tracked in multiple ways including daily system
login, class participation and submission of work. Students are required to attend school
5 hours/day for grades K-6 5.5 hours/day for grades 7-12 Flexibility in scheduling the school day at home is available
How does a student participate in physical education? Students participate in Physical Education by completing
daily lessons that encourage them to be active for 60 minutes.
They also attend weekly live learningsessions where they follow the teacherthrough different exercise routines.
Pennsylvania System of Schools AssessmentThe 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 and 8. Math and Reading are administered during grades 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8. The Science PSSA test is also given to students in grades 4 and 8. Testing locations are generally within 50 miles of student’s home. Travel to testing is the responsibility of the parent/guardian.
PA Distance Learning Standardized Testing
Scantron Testing – Grades 2-12Scantron'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 assess 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.
PA Distance Learning Standardized Testing
Keystone TestingThe Keystone Exams are end-of-course assessments designed to evaluate proficiency in academic content. Beginning with the class of 2017, students must demonstrate proficiency on the Algebra I, Literature, and Biology Keystone Exams to graduate. Students will be offered multiple opportunities to take the Keystones throughout their high school career.
As with PSSA testing, students complete the Keystone Exams under the supervision of PA Distance Learning teachers and staff at a test site that is within 50 miles from their home. Travel to testing is the responsibility of the parent/guardian.
PA Distance Learning Standardized Testing
Children’s ProgressAcademic 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.
BenefitsWhy Choose Our Public Cyber-
Charter School?
Once enrolled, you are not just a number, you are part of our family
Safety – working in the comfort of your home
Highly Qualified staff members Advanced technology instruction Increased family involvement Remediation opportunities Acceleration opportunities
Benefits
Why Choose PA Distance Learning?
Staff Certified, Highly Qualified
teachers Special Education team Academic Advisors ESL/Foreign Languages Administration Support Staff Fast Technical Support Family Outreach Coordinator …and so much more!
Benefits
Why Choose PA Distance Learning?
Equipment – Students are loaned the materials necessary to be successful in our online learning environment! Laptop Printer/scanner Graphing calculator for students in 8th-12th
grade Select grades will receive music keyboards, art
supplies, dry erase boards, novels, etc. Online textbooks, novels and workbooks Supplemental resources and curriculum FLEx Funds: Money supplied to supplement
additional educational opportunities outside of the classroom. A very unique and cool thing we offer our families!
BenefitsWhy 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 Learning via our Google Education Suite provided by Cloudcast.
Support Teachers, technical support, and student service staff are
available by phone or e-mail Help is at your fingertips!
BenefitsRemediation
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 (during and
after school hours) Classes or curriculum designed to build skill levels Individualized study sessions Intervention programs Recorded classes for review
Benefits
Acceleration Our priority is having each
student reach his/her potential. Part of individualized education
is catering to advanced learners. We offer 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
Benefits
Field Trips Honors Courses 24/7 Online Curriculum Student based clubs
(Spanish, Literary, Recorder)
FLEx Funds: Parent Supplemental Education Account
PA Accredited Diploma Graduation Ceremony Student Assistance
Program
Other PA Distance Learning Services:
Benefits
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.
Student Assistance Program
School Board Mission
OUR MISSION SINCE 2004PA Distance Learning ’s mission is to offer a
valuable educational alternativeTo practice and promote academic integrityTo present quality curriculum, technology,
and supportTo foster academic excellence in our
students
Google + Cloudcast
Cloudcast Education Cloudcast is a Google Enterprise Partner Deployed a next-generation online
learning platform that will revolutionize the delivery of cyber-school education at PA Distance Learning.
Transformed Google Apps for Education into a truly synchronous, one-to-one learning environment enabling individualized instruction.
A single log-in, cloud-based school management system that enables individualized, data-driven instruction.
Simply put, you have the power of Google’s industry-leading products and secure data infrastructure at your fingertips 24/7.
The Cloudcast Google Education Suite
Sample Classroom
Blackboard Live-Learning Classroom
Curriculum – Elementary (K-6th)
Think Central – Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
http://www-k6.thinkcentral.com
Curriculum – Elementary (K-6th)
Creativity Express Online Art Courses (grades 3, 5, 7)
http://www.madcaplogic.com Tritone Online Music Courses (grades 2, 4, 6)
http://www.tritonemusic.com
Study Aids – Elementary (K-6th)
Brain Pop Jr. http://www.brainpop.com
Education City http://www.educationcity.com
Title I Program (3rd – 6th Grade)
What is Title I?
Title I is a federal assistance program that was enacted in 1965.
It is intended to help ensure that all children have the opportunity to obtain a high quality education and reach proficiency on challenging state academic standards and assessments.
Title I provides funding that is used to provide extra help to the students who need it most.
As the largest federal program supporting elementary education, Title I is designed to:
1. Help children learn better in school.
2. Help teachers better understand the needs of your student.
3. Help parents become more involved with their children’s education.
4. Help schools purchase the training supplies and equipment necessary to reach its academic goals.
Curriculum – Middle School (7th & 8th)
Holt Online http://my.hrw.com
Creativity Express (Art) http://www.madcaplogic.com/
Curriculum – High School
Holt Online http://my.hrw.com
Creativity Express (Art) http://www.madcaplogic.com/
Special Education Program
All of our Special Education teachers are certified teachers in the state of Pennsylvania
Special Education teachers have low case load numbers compared to many other cyber schools allowing the teacher to really get to know the student and not just be a case load number
We promote Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) with special education support (1 on 1 or small group in live sessions)
We can customize an IEP to REALLY focus on the students strengths and needs
We provided related services (speech, OT, PT, counseling, etc.) in the home or online.
Parents are an important part of the IEP team and we encourage participation in all meetings pertaining to the student.
We focus on high school transition (age 14+) preparingthe student to reach their education, employment, andindependent living goals.
ESL Program (English as a Second Language)
Process of Identifying Students Review student records and enrollment
paperwork. Student may need to take the W-APT. Data reviewed and family contacted. PA Distance Learning follows all state and federal
guidelines for English Language Learners (ELL). ESL class
Similar language ability level and similar age group
Scheduled around content area classes Content area accommodations if needed
ESL Program
Support for ELLs and their family Language Line Transact Ability to have additional support outside the
classroom. Open communication
Progress of the ELL Regular progress checks ACCESS testing required by the state of
Pennsylvania Evaluation at the end of the year: next school
year
Art & Music Programs
Art Art is taught at grades 3, 5, 7 and 9-12 Use the award winning Creativity Express Curriculum Students use numerous art materials to complete projects
as well as lessons within the course. Students have the ability to share work via sharing
discussion boards.
Music Music is taught in grades 2, 4, 6 and 9-12. Elementary students learn music concepts through
keyboard performance. Music Appreciation and Music Theory courses are available
for grades 9-12. We offer a recorder club for students in grades 3-6. Winter and Spring concerts allow our students to showcase
their talents.
Enrollment Process
How to Apply1. Visit our public website www.padistance.org 2. Click on the Enroll Now link (as seen below).3. Fill out the online form (followed by a detailed
doc)4. Compile all required documentation as
specified5. Submit all forms to our Enrollment Department
Enrollment
Required Documentation In addition to the forms you will print from the Online
Application, you will need to provide the following documents: Immunization Records Private Dentist Form Private Physician Form 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
Welcome to the Family
Q & A
Questions?
Contact Information
PA Distance Learning Charter School2100 Corporate Drive, Suite 500
Wexford, PA 15090www.padistance.org
888-997-3352
Call us anytime with questions! Our staff is committed to helping parent/guardians make an informed
decision!
