What the study found
Families facing socially disadvantaging circumstances in Montréal had pronounced difficulties adapting to online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. The community organization studied was instrumental in supporting families and promoting a sense of agency in children.
Why the authors say this matters
The authors conclude that policymakers ought to prioritize investment in community organizations that provide educational supports. They say this is important to help prevent or reduce adverse outcomes linked to pandemics or other public health emergencies.
What the researchers tested
The study examined the experiences of families and children in Montréal as they moved to online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. It focused on how a community organization supported those families in this new learning environment.
What worked and what didn't
Families struggled with disorganized communication with schools, unexpected shifts in parents’ roles, and resource constraints. In contrast, the community organization was described as instrumental in supporting families and in fostering children’s sense of agency.
What to keep in mind
The abstract does not describe detailed methods, sample size, or specific limitations. The findings are based on families and children in Montréal during the COVID-19 transition to online learning.
Key points
- Families facing socially disadvantaging circumstances in Montréal had pronounced difficulties with online learning during COVID-19.
- Problems included disorganized communication with schools, shifts in parents’ roles, and limited resources.
- A community organization was described as instrumental in supporting families.
- The organization also helped promote a sense of agency in children.
- The authors say policymakers should prioritize investment in community organizations that offer educational supports.
Disclosure
- Research title:
- Community support helped families manage online learning challenges
- Authors:
- Sydney Campbell, Ruo Lan Wang, Franco A. Carnevale
- Institutions:
- McGill University
- Publication date:
- 2026-03-05
- OpenAlex record:
- View
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