Leaving Traditional Schools for Virtual Schools: Exploring Pandemic-Influenced Parent Reasons

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session 8
  In Roundtable Session: Leaving Traditional Schools: Exploring Reasons for Choosing Virtual Learning and Student Outcomes

Abstract

Grappling with change because of the COVID-19 pandemic, parents exhibited an increased interest in hybrid or virtual school models. In addition, many parents discovered some virtual school benefits during school shutdowns. Based on Lewin's change theory, traditional schooling's status quo could be disrupted and subsequently changed to reflect the current era's technological demands. This exploratory study examined parents' reasons for choosing a virtual school.

Authors

• Mary Lynne Derrington, The University of Tennessee

• Jeana Partin, The University of Tennessee - Knoxville