Home Facilitator Involvement Levels

Each student at PALCS is required to have a Home Facilitator to serve as the agent of the school to make certain that the student is functioning at a level sufficient to maintain attendance and to ensure that assignments are completed on time.

The Home Facilitator is an integral part of a student’s success. It involves a commitment that goes beyond a traditional public school. Without the full commitment of the HF, at all grade levels, a student’s academic success will suffer.

The requirements for the Home Facilitator vary with the age and motivation of the student. Younger students require more direct involvement. Each course at PALCS has been assigned a level of involvement for the Home Facilitator from one to five, with five being the most involved.

Level 5

• Level 5 courses require full time participation for the HF.
• Home Facilitators are expected to assist the child 90-100% of the time that the child is working on material.
• This commitment involves making sure students are completing all parts of lessons and assignments, monitoring student understanding of readings and checking HF PALCSMail daily.

Level 4

• This course involves a major commitment of time from the HF.
• The HF will need to assist the child 70-90% of the time the child is working on course material.
• This commitment involves making sure students are completing all parts of lessons and assignments, monitoring student understanding of readings and checking HF PALCSMail daily.

Level 3

• This course requires a time commitment of anywhere from 30-70% of the time the child is working on course work.
• Teachers recommend working with students 50% of the time, adjusting involvement as necessary.
• This commitment involves making sure students are completing all parts of lessons and assignments, occasionally monitoring student understanding of readings and checking HF PALCSMail daily.

Level 2

• This course requires student monitoring by the HF 10-30% of the time and minimal intervention in the class.
• Students will be expected to display the appropriate maturity level to attempt the material without the HF.
• Students advocate for themselves as well as request help directly from their teachers most of the time.

Level 1

• This course only requires monitoring by the HF, about 1-10% of the time.
• Students are expected to complete assignments independently with occasional help from their teachers above and beyond the instructional time.
• HFs should continue to check on student progress regularly, but should not need to be involved instructionally.
  

Course Difficulty Levels

On-Level: Course is structured to meet the designated Pennsylvania standards.

Advanced: Course is structured to meet and exceed the designated Pennsylvania standards.

Weighted Credit for Courses

College-Prep: College-Prep courses are academically challenging courses designated for the college-bound student. In order to be successful, this level requires students to be self-disciplined and self-motivated with strong analytical and study skills.

Honors: Honors courses are academically rigorous courses designated for the college-bound student. In order to be successful, this level requires students to be self-disciplined and self-motivated with excellent analytical and study skills.

Advanced Placement: Advanced Placement (AP) courses are academically rigorous courses that require the same skill level as listed for honors courses. AP courses follow a prescribed syllabus determined by the College Board. Students are expected to take the AP exam offered in the spring semester in each subject.

PALCS students may participate in up to two University Scholars Advanced Placement cyber/virtual courses without enrolling in the University Scholars Program.  Placement in these courses is determined by fulfillment of the individual course prerequisites, and by the PALCS Guidance Department and University Scholars Program.  Students will complete Advanced Placement course work as directed by the University Scholars Program teacher.  Those students wishing to enroll in one or two of these courses will be required to sign an Agreement of University Scholars Policies, in addition to the PALCS Parent/Student Handbook Policies.  The University Scholars Policies and Agreement form are mailed to families prior to the start of the course. 

Please note: participation in non-AP cyber/virtual/onsite courses offered at the Advanced Ideas Center are only available to students enrolled in the University Scholars Program.