From Gatekeepers to Partners: Elevating Guardians in Online Learning Leadership
by Holly Brzycki, Supervisor of Online Learning
In the evolving landscape of online learning, leaders often concentrate on instructional design, technology infrastructure, and educator support. Yet one critical stakeholder group remains underutilized: guardians. Parents and caregivers are not simply monitors of attendance or compliance; they are potential partners in shaping student success. For leaders, the challenge is not whether guardians should be engaged, but how to strategically integrate them into the broader vision of online education. This month's newsletter is focusing on guardian support and engagement.
Moving Beyond Compliance
Guardians play a vital role in the success of online learners, yet their contributions are often framed too narrowly. Rather than viewing them solely as monitors of logins, attendance, or assignment completion, leaders can elevate guardians to true partners in the learning process. When guardians are acknowledged as informed stakeholders who grasp the vision and goals of online learning, active contributors sharing valuable insights about student needs and community contexts, and co-creators of solutions collaborating on initiatives like truancy reduction, digital literacy, and culturally responsive practices, the entire system benefits. By embracing this broader perspective, leaders can build stronger, more resilient connections between home and school that support every learner’s growth.
Practical Leadership Strategies
The National Standards for Quality Online Learning suggest that, to operate this shift, leaders can adopt the following strategies:
• Establish Guardian Advisory Councils: Create formal structures where guardians contribute to policy discussions, resource development, and program evaluation.
• Audit Communication Systems: Evaluate whether current communication practices are accessible, multilingual, and culturally responsive. Leaders should model transparency and empathy in every message.
• Develop Guardian Pathways: Offer training modules or workshops that build digital literacy and equip guardians to support students effectively.
• Measure Engagement Outcomes: Track guardian participation not only in attendance monitoring but in feedback loops, advisory roles, and professional learning sessions.
Enjoy the following articles that highlight practical strategies and leadership insights for involving guardians in online learning. By transforming guardians from gatekeepers into partners, leaders can promote equity, improve student outcomes, and develop sustainable online learning communities.
Research Review: Are Parents Logged In? The Importance of Parental Involvement in K-12 Online Learning
Written by Matt Zeglen | Learning Management Solutions Supervisor
In “Are Parents Logged In? The Importance of Parent Involvement in K-12 Online Learning,” researchers Gina Ricker, Daniel Belenky, and Mathew Koziarski examine how parents contribute to student outcomes in a virtual setting. The study analyzed data from three full-time virtual K-12 schools to explore how parental involvement relates to student performance in mathematics. The researchers used parents’ Learning Management System (LMS) logins as a measurable indicator of involvement, tracking how often parents accessed the online platform.
The data showed that greater parental involvement was associated with small but positive gains across elementary, middle, and high school levels. The research highlights the critical role that parents play in online learning, where teacher presence is limited and students must often self-manage their learning. Parents who actively use LMS tools are better positioned to support their children’s learning and help them stay on track.
Using parental log ins as a metric, CAOLA pulled a sample of 6,409 guardian accounts from the Genius SIS. Of this sample, 4,736 (74%) have never logged into their account; 1,569 (25%) logged in at least once; and 77 (1%) have logged in the past month. This data demonstrates that very few CAOLA parents are actively involved in their students’ learning.
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Halifax Spotlight: Transforming Learning with CAOLA
by Bryan Guerrisi, Account Manager| IU15
The Halifax School District proudly offers the CAOLA Online Program, a dynamic educational option serving students from Kindergarten through 12th grade. Through Wildcat Academy, learners can choose full-time cyber enrollment, blended learning opportunities, single course offerings, or credit recovery. This research-based program provides a flexible, non-traditional environment that challenges students with a 21st-century approach while keeping them connected to the Halifax community, school services, and district events.
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From Home to High-Tech Careers: Helping Parents & Students Explore Online Career Pathways
by Nicole Nokovich| Program Assistant
Why Online Career Pathways Matter?
Career and Technical Education (CTE) is rapidly expanding in high schools across the United States, opening doors to high-demand careers that do not require a four-year college degree. In Pennsylvania alone, approximately 65,000 secondary students are enrolled in CTE programs across 81 onsite learning centers. Yet this represents only a fraction of the students who could benefit from job-ready skills and industry-recognized credentials.
Online education plays a vital role in offering on-demand skills in various areas, including Health Care, Information Technology, and Business. Students do not have to attend brick-and-mortar CTE centers to gain knowledge, skills, and certifications that can be used directly after high school or even as resume builders for college applications. Online electives expand our students' access to many courses that most schools do not offer in person.
Parents as Partners
Parents play a vital role in helping students explore these opportunities. As schools and families consider these opportunities, understanding the potential earnings in fields that do not require a 4-year degree is essential.
Vocational Field
Typical Annual Earnings
Entry- Level Network Security
$65,000 - $70,000
Entry-Level Biotechnologist (Certificate Only)
$51,000 - $66,000
Dental Hygienists
$70,000 - $75,000
Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs)
$50,000 - $55,000
Table listing vocational fields and typical annual earnings: Entry-level Network Security, $65,000–$70,000; Entry-level Biotechnologist (certificate only), $51,000–$66,000; Dental Hygienists, $70,000–$75,000; Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), $50,000–$55,000.
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A Review of TWO Leading Digital Platforms for School-Home Communication
by John Hendrickson, Account Manager | IU Partners
Effective communication between schools and families is essential for supporting student achievement across all grade levels, where academic expectations evolve, and student independence gradually increases. Administrators and teachers rely on timely, accurate, and accessible communication systems to ensure that parents and guardians remain informed partners in their students’ education. Digital communication platforms have become indispensable tools for bridging the gap between home and school, especially as families navigate complex schedules, diverse language backgrounds, and varying levels of technological access. When implemented thoughtfully, these tools strengthen relationships, improve transparency, and contribute to a more cohesive educational environment. Selecting the right platform is a strategic decision that can significantly influence the quality of family engagement across a school community.
While there are several options available on the market, we have selected two recommended by CAOLA districts: TalkingPoints and Rooms.
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From Clicks to Connections: Family Engagement in Virtual Learning
Contributed by Keisha Capobianco, Online Learning Support Specialist
CAOLA is excited to invite you to watch a webinar titled "From Clicks to Connection: Family Engagement in Virtual Learning," provided by DLAC. This hour-long session shines a spotlight on the essential role families play in supporting student success in online learning environments. It offers timely guidance for anyone looking to strengthen engagement, communication, and collaboration with families in the virtual space.
In this webinar, experts share practical strategies designed to help your program elevate the way it connects with families. You’ll discover how meaningful communication can transform the online learning experience for students and caregivers alike. By focusing on connection rather than simple participation, the session illustrates how strong family partnerships fuel better outcomes.
Viewers will also explore real-world examples of programs that have successfully built trust and engagement with families across digital platforms. These case studies showcase creative approaches you can adapt and use within your own school or district. Whether you are new to virtual learning or looking to refine your current practices, this webinar provides valuable, actionable insights.
CAOLA encourages you to set aside this hour to watch, learn, and share this resource with your team. Strengthening family engagement is a powerful step toward creating supportive, high-impact learning environments for all students. We hope this webinar inspires new ideas and meaningful connections within your own community.
Building Strong Connections: Tips for Advisors to Strengthen Communiction and Engage Families of Online Learners
by Tammy True, Program Assistant
Parental involvement is one of the strongest predictors of student success. In online learning environments, parents and guardians play a vital role in supporting students, while advisors serve as the bridge that connects home and school. When advisors and families work together, students receive consistent support both at home and online, leading to stronger academic outcomes and greater confidence. Consider incorporating the best practices below into your communication with parents and guardians of online learners.
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Keeping Devices Updated
Article by Aaron Sica, CAOLA Helpdesk
It’s important to keep electronic devices updated, but in the world of online learning, it’s vitally important. Keeping devices updated is essential for online learning because it directly affects access, security, and learning quality.
Online learning platforms and testing systems are updated on a regular basis. If a student’s device or browser is outdated, features may not work correctly, or not even at all. This can lead to login problems, missing content, and can also impact assignment submission. Updates can also improve performance and reliability, which can help prevent disruptions. Students should be able to focus on doing their work, rather than having to deal with a technical issue.
Please make sure that your students are updating their devices – if the device belongs to your school, please make sure your IT department is updating them on a regular basis.
