Your Role as an ISP Parent
The SSC is the coach. You're the cheerleader.
The Big Question
"If my kid is learning at home, do I become the teacher?"
No. This is the #1 concern we hear from parents considering online school. Let's be crystal clear:
| What You're NOT | What You ARE |
|---|---|
| The teacher | The environment creator |
| The grader | The encourager |
| The daily nagger | The cheerleader |
| The curriculum expert | The support system |
ISP is not homeschool. You're not designing lesson plans, grading assignments, or teaching algebra. That's what the curriculum, SSC, and Learning Coaches are for.
What ISP Expects from Parents
The Essentials
| Requirement | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Quiet workspace | A consistent place where your child can focus for 2-3 hours |
| Reliable internet | Stable connection for video calls and coursework |
| Basic device | Laptop or tablet (we'll help if this is a barrier) |
| Encouragement | Cheer them on, celebrate wins, be their fan |
The Commitment
When you complete MyParent and reach 80+ OVR, you're signaling:
- "I understand the 2-hour model"
- "I know what the SSC does and doesn't do"
- "I'm committed to supporting my child"
- "I won't be surprised by how ISP works"
That's it. You're not committing to teach calculus.
What ISP Does NOT Expect
Let's be explicit about what's not your job:
| NOT Your Job | Why |
|---|---|
| Teaching the curriculum | TimeBack platform + Alpha School handles instruction |
| Grading assignments | Mastery is assessed automatically |
| Tracking daily progress | Your SSC monitors the dashboard |
| Nagging about homework | Your SSC handles accountability |
| Being the bad guy | That's what the pod + SSC structure is for |
| Knowing every subject | You don't need to understand the material |
The traditional homeschool model puts parents in the teacher seat. ISP doesn't.
The SSC Handles Accountability
This is the key difference between ISP and homeschool.
Traditional Homeschool
Parent → designs curriculum
Parent → teaches lessons
Parent → grades work
Parent → motivates student
Parent → tracks progress
Parent → intervenes when struggling
Result: Parent becomes teacher, nagger, and enforcer. Relationship strain.
ISP Model
TimeBack → delivers curriculum
AI + Mastery → assesses learning
SSC → tracks progress (dashboard)
SSC → motivates student (weekly calls)
SSC → intervenes when struggling
Pod → provides peer accountability
Parent → creates environment + cheers
Result: Parent stays the parent. SSC is the coach.
Daily Supervision: Honest by Age
Let's be real — younger kids need more supervision than older kids.
| Grade | What Parents Typically Do |
|---|---|
| K-2 | Sit nearby during academics, help with tech, celebrate often |
| 3-5 | Check in at start and end, available for questions |
| 6-8 | Morning check-in, let them work independently, review progress weekly |
| 9-12 | Trust the process, stay informed via MyParent dashboard |
The 2-Hour Reality
Your child's focused academic time is 2 hours. Not 6. Not 8.
For most working parents, this means:
- Morning academics while you start your workday
- Check-in after the 2-hour block
- Rest of the day → training, activities, or independent time
You don't need to hover for 2 hours. You need to be available for 2 hours.
Work-From-Home Compatibility
"Can my kid do ISP while I work from home?"
Yes. This is one of ISP's most common family configurations.
| Scenario | How It Works |
|---|---|
| You WFH full-time | Child does academics in morning, you work. SSC handles accountability. |
| You WFH part-time | Same — 2 hours of focused work doesn't require constant supervision. |
| Both parents work outside home | Older students (6+) can manage independently. Younger students may need a caregiver nearby. |
| Single parent | Same principles apply. The SSC is your partner, not your substitute. |
The key: Your child needs someone available during the 2-hour academic block — not someone teaching them.
When to Intervene vs. When to Step Back
Step Back When...
| Situation | Why |
|---|---|
| They're struggling with a concept | Let the SSC know → they'll loop in a Learning Coach |
| They're having a bad day | Everyone has bad days. The SSC monitors patterns, not single days. |
| They're behind on a module | Mastery-based = they'll catch up. SSC adjusts pacing if needed. |
| They seem bored | Tell the SSC. They'll investigate and adjust. |
Intervene When...
| Situation | What to Do |
|---|---|
| Tech isn't working | Help troubleshoot or contact support |
| They're consistently not starting | Check environment — is the workspace working? Tell the SSC. |
| Something personal is affecting them | Tell the SSC so they can adjust expectations |
| They're thriving and you want to celebrate | Celebrate! Tell the SSC so they can reinforce it. |
The pattern: Most situations → tell the SSC. They're trained for this.
MyParent: Your Dashboard
You don't need to check over your child's shoulder. You have MyParent.
What You Can See
| Metric | What It Tells You |
|---|---|
| Academic completion | Is daily work getting done? |
| MyPath OVR | Overall progress across all skill areas |
| Streak status | Are they building consistent habits? |
| Pod call attendance | Are they showing up for their crew? |
| SSC notes | What did the coach discuss this week? |
How Often to Check
| Frequency | What to Look At |
|---|---|
| Daily | Optional — glance at completion if you're curious |
| Weekly | Review the SSC summary email |
| Monthly | Deeper look at OVR trends, have a family conversation |
You don't need to monitor constantly. The SSC is watching the dashboard. MyParent keeps you informed without requiring you to manage.
The Parent-SSC Partnership
Think of your relationship with the SSC like this:
| Role | Responsibility |
|---|---|
| You | Know your child deeply — their moods, their life, their challenges |
| SSC | Know the system — the curriculum, the progress, the interventions |
| Together | Combine knowledge to support your child |
Communication Flow
You notice something → Tell the SSC
SSC notices something → Tells you
Student needs support → SSC acts, keeps you informed
The SSC is your partner. They have 100 students, but your child is one of them — not lost in a crowd of 500.
FAQ
Q: What if my child won't listen to the SSC?
A: Tell the SSC. They're trained in student motivation. If the relationship isn't working, you can switch to a different SSC.
Q: Do I need to be good at school subjects?
A: No. You don't need to understand the curriculum. You need to create the environment and stay encouraging.
Q: What if I work and can't be home during academics?
A: For older students (middle/high school), this usually works fine. For younger students, you'll need someone available (not teaching — just available).
Q: Can I see what my child is learning?
A: Yes. You have full access to the curriculum and can explore alongside your child if you want. But it's not required.
Q: What if I disagree with the SSC's approach?
A: Talk to them directly. If you can't resolve it, contact our Head of School. We want the partnership to work.
Q: Is ISP easier for stay-at-home parents?
A: It's different, not harder or easier. Stay-at-home parents have more flexibility, but working parents make it work too. The SSC carries the accountability load either way.
Q: What's the minimum involvement I can have?
A: Create the environment, check MyParent weekly, respond to SSC messages. That's the floor. Most parents do more because they're curious, but the floor is low.
The Bottom Line
| Old Mental Model | ISP Reality |
|---|---|
| "Online school = I become the teacher" | SSC + curriculum = you stay the parent |
| "I need to manage everything" | SSC manages accountability |
| "I need to know the subjects" | You need to create the environment |
| "This will be a full-time job" | 2 hours of availability, not 8 hours of teaching |
Your job: Environment. Encouragement. Communication with the SSC.
Not your job: Teaching. Grading. Nagging. Being the bad guy.