There are many misconceptions among people who are unaware of all of the unique opportunities and benefits of a cyber school education. To address some of those, we put together a list of the common myths, followed with the facts, when it comes to life at PA Distance.
Myth:
Cyber school students are isolated during the day and never get to directly interact with their teachers or other students.
Fact:
At PA Distance, all of our teachers build and maintain strong relationships with their students that contribute to their success.
PA Distance students use interconnected applications, as well as other learning platforms to interact with each other and with their teachers. Students have live classes with teachers nearly every day, in classes as big as 20 students or as small as 5, as well as offline assignments.
In addition to collaborative projects, students have many opportunities to build lasting friendships with their peers. PA Distance offers a variety field trips all across the state, school assemblies, and guest speakers who make frequent in-class visits. This school year, our students learned from a Holocaust survivor, a PA House representative, and attended multiple career fairs.
PA Distance students also have the opportunity to explore their interests beyond their core subjects. To foster this, PA Distance offers a wide range of after-school clubs that help to spark imagination and continue growth after school hours.
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Myth:
PA Distance, and other cyber school teachers, work and teach remotely, from their couch or kitchen table, and don’t have to leave their home.
Fact:
Unlike some other cyber schools, PA Distance teachers come to the same office (under normal circumstances), where they teach live learning classes, every day. PA Distance provides enough space for each teacher to have their own office space and are equipped with the technology and techniques to bring their lessons to life for their students.
This atmosphere also allows for teachers to collaborate on projects together and work together to make sure their students succeed. For example, if a student missed their 8:00 am math class, that teacher can let their other teachers know that they should reach out to the student and make sure they don’t miss the rest of their classes that day.
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Myth:
Cyber schools aren’t regulated like traditional schools so they can do whatever they want.
Fact:
Under existing legislation, cyber charter schools are held to even more stringent standards than other schools in Pennsylvania. Many people don’t realize cyber charters are governed by the same state and federal education mandates that apply to all public schools, as well as additional accountability and oversight groups that school districts don’t answer to, including the IRS, the Department of the Treasury, the Auditor General, and watchdog organizations for special education, civil rights, and more.
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Myth:
Cyber School is a ‘lesser version’ of a brick-and-mortars school
Fact:
Cyber school isn't so different from any other school. Instead of meeting within a physical location, teachers and students meet in a virtual classroom. PA Distance classes are taught by state certified teachers and meet state requirements. We also offer unique electives for career goals that students might have for their futures.
In addition to live class, our students have asynchronous lessons each day. Think of these as "homework" they do during the school day. The difference is that teachers are available to help with these lessons.
Take some time to learn why PA Distance is Where Teaching Still Matters in the video below: