A Research Synthesis Examining P-12 Virtual School Leaders

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Thursday 4:15 pm
  In Roundtable Session: Leadership Without Walls: Virtual, Vocational, and Cross-Cultural Contexts

Abstract

Virtual school leaders play significant leadership roles in P-12 virtual schools. To learn about the roles and characteristics of virtual school leaders, we conducted a systematic literature review of empirical research investigating P-12 virtual school leaders published between 2015 and 2025. The following themes resulted from analyzing 21 articles: Virtual school leaders should cultivate 1) specialized skillsets and training, 2) effective communication among all virtual school community members, 3) unique policies and practices for leading virtual schools, 4) digital equity; and 5) flexibility and troubleshooting to address myriad challenges they experience in virtual school settings. The results of this study demonstrate a need for school leader preparation programs to better prepare virtual school leaders for these unique settings.

Authors

• Natalie B. Milman, The George Washington University

• Jessa Henderson, University of Bergen