Parent Involvement in Online Education
Parents at National Connections Academy (NaCA) don’t merely expect daily involvement in their children’s education; they embrace it. From collaborating with teachers on goals to helping their children stay focused, our parents are full partners in the learning process. See what parents have to say.
Understanding the Role of the Learning Coach
Acting as Learning Coaches, parents manage the home classroom—motivating and monitoring students as they complete assignments and progress through the curriculum. That role evolves as students mature and Learning Coaches and our teachers adjust for grade-level, individual needs, and level of independence. In the elementary years, the Learning Coach plays a substantial day-to-day role facilitating instruction. In the middle school and high school years, the Learning Coach becomes more of a mentor and guide as the student becomes increasingly responsible for his/her studies.
While the role of Learning Coaches is less time-intensive for parents of part-time NaCA students, these parents are also critical in providing age and ability-appropriate supervision.
Parent Responsibilities
For students enrolled in our full-time program, we strongly recommend that a parent or another responsible adult be available at home to serve as a Learning Coach, providing an age and ability-appropriate level of assistance and supervision to the student. NaCA also requests parents sign an agreement outlining their responsibilities as Learning Coaches and describing suggested steps for creating an optimal learning environment at home. View a sample parent agreement.
For students enrolled part-time in individual courses, we advise parents to familiarize themselves with the requirements of the course or to consult with an Enrollment Advisor to determine the amount of parent participation required to ensure student success.
Supporting the Learning Coach
To help Learning Coaches become effective partners in their children’s education, National Connections Academy provides:
- Tutorials
- An orientation program
- A community of parents who can provide first-hand advice
- Our Virtual Learning Connections blog featuring tips from fellow Learning Coaches, teachers, and education experts.
- Support from teachers, admissions representatives, and our tech support team.