AERA 2023 – Virtual School Principals: Perspectives and Possibilities

The seventh of the sessions from the 2023 annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association that I identified as relevant to this space that I have the opportunity to blog is:

• Virtual School Principals: Perspectives and Possibilities – Mary Lynne Derrington, The University of Tennessee; Jeana Partin, The University of Tennessee – Knoxville

  Abstract

  This mixed-methods study explored how virtual school principals described leadership challenges and rewards working in the virtual context. Additionally, the researchers examined how principals in a virtual environment provided teacher professional development and created a social presence with teachers, students, and parents. Findings indicate that a virtual school is more than merely a traditional school online. Principals exhibit an intrapreneurial approach to developing and sustaining virtual schools. The researchers purport that innovative leadership is a key component of supporting virtual schools in assuming a unique position among the choice options. It is imperative, they conclude to understand the virtual school as a choice option serving some students more effectively than the traditional brick and mortar schools.

  Authors

  • Mary Lynne Derrington, The University of Tennessee
    Presenting Author
  • Jeana Partin, The University of Tennessee – Knoxville
    Presenting Author

Which was in this session:

Student and School Personnel Outcomes in Schools of Choice

Fri, April 14, 11:40am to 1:10pm CDT (9:40 to 11:10am PDT), Swissôtel Chicago, Floor: Lucerne Level, Lucerne 2 Session Type: Paper Session

Sub Unit

• SIG-Charters & School Choice

Chair

• David T. Marshall, Auburn University

These presenters apparently did not show up due to a conflict with some grant.  With a bit of Googling, I think the session might have been focused on this chapter:

Partin, J., & Derrington, M. L. (2023). Supervising in a virtual school context. In A. L. Lavigne & M. L. Derrington (Eds.), Actionable Feedback to PK-12 Teachers (pp. 177-190). Rowman & Littlefield