Parent-Teacher Associations in the Post-COVID Era: Lessons Learned and the Continued Use of Hybrid (In-Person/Virtual) Models

The COVID-۱۹ pandemic unprecedentedly transformed long-standing patterns of family-school engagement. This article employs an analytical-descriptive review methodology, based on credible scientific sources (۲۰۲۰-۲۰۲۴), to systematically examine the challenges, opportunities, and lessons learned from Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) activities during this period and to chart a course for the post-pandemic era. Findings reveal that the forced migration to virtual platforms was accompanied by challenges such as exacerbated digital divides, diminished quality of emotional interactions, and increased parental role burden. However, it also unveiled unparalleled opportunities, including enhanced accessibility and flexibility, diversification of communication formats, and the imperative to rethink engagement models. A key lesson is that the resilience of this institution hinges on adopting a multi-channel, flexible approach. Consequently, the continued, intelligent utilization of this period's achievements through a Smart Hybrid (in-person/virtual) model is essential. This model, by intelligently categorizing activities based on their nature (in-person-centric, hybrid, virtual-centric), ensuring equitable infrastructure, and developing ethical frameworks, seeks to integrate the depth of in-person connection with the breadth and accessibility of virtual space. This article concludes that institutionalizing such a model is not a choice but an unavoidable necessity for building resilient, equitable, and effective collaborative ecosystems in the post-COVID era.

کلیدواژه ها:

Parent-Teacher Association ، Post-COVID Era ، Hybrid Model ، Family Engagement ، Digital Equity