Frequently Asked Questions
Brightspace Parent & Guardian Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How will students be marked attended in on a Virtual Learning Day (VID)?
A: On an Asynchronous VID, students will need to access all scheduled Brightspace courses by 2:00 pm to show as accessed in the course Classlist. Teachers will use the Classlist to mark attendance in PowerSchool.
Note: If using the Pulse Mobile App, the student must click and open the assigned content to show access in Classlist.
Q: What can I expect to see in Brightspace Parent & Guardian ?
A: See the What Families See slideshow above for what is included for parents and guardians.
Q: Is there a Brightspace Parent & Guardian mobile app?
A: Yes. Brightspace Parent & Guardian is available for iOS® and Android™ using a supported device. Search Brightspace Parent & Guardian in your app store to download. View our Brightspace Parent & Guardian Mobile App Setup Instructions to connect to your account.
Search for 'school' = Anne Arundel County Public Schools
Note: Be sure to download Brightspace Parent & Guardian. The Brightspace Pulse and Brightspace Portfolio apps are for students and teachers.
Q: I am trying to access Brightspace Parent & Guardian and it says my login information is wrong or I do not have an account. What can I do?
A: You will log into Brightspace for Parent and Guardian using the same username and password that you use to access the AACPS PowerSchool Parent Portal. Visit https://www.aacps.org/Page/1325 for directions and resources or to set up a Parent Portal account. Contact your child’s school for further assistance.
Parents with a Student/Parent Portal account that used their AACPS network credentials will need to change their Parent Portal username and email address to a different login to access the Brightspace platform as a parent. Use these Directions to change your Parent Portal username.
Q: My child’s teacher said they posted an Announcement for parents, but I don’t see it. How can I see Announcements from the teacher?
A: Announcements are visible to students when they are logged into their AACPS Brightspace account. Parents can see posts made in the Activity Feed in Brightspace Parent & Guardian .
Q: Why don't I see all of the assignments from my child's teachers?
A: Teachers cannot choose to include or exclude their courses from Brightspace Parent & Guardian. However, teachers use Brightspace in different ways based on their content and curriculum. Some assignments are in person, in other applications, or turned into the teacher in the classroom. Please check the PowerSchool Parent portal for assignment grades.
Q: My child says s/he has an assignment due tomorrow, but I don’t see that in the Work To-Do widget. Why don’t I see all assignments here?
A: Only assignments given through Brightspace with an established due date show in the student's Work To-Do. In-class assignments, those without a due date, or those that have already been submitted by the studnet will not appear here for students. If the assignment is from a third-party tool (Google Assignment, Wixie, Discovery Education, etc.) it will be removed once the student clicks on it in their Brightspace.
Note: Older assignments/work can be accessed by selecting View all work and selecting a two-week date range
Q: If all assignments do not appear in the Work To-Do widget, how can I be informed of other assignment types?
A: Teachers are encouraged to share an agenda, post information or post due dates for all upcoming assignments in the Activity Feed. Check the PowerSchool Parent Portal for all grades.
Q: How can I tell which assignments are most important?
A: Teachers are encouraged to clearly label all graded assignments in a way that stands out. Example: ✅ GRADED - Assignment name. You can also check the PowerSchool Parent Portal for grades on assignments.
Q: Why can’t I open all attachments or links within my child’s assignments?
A: Many tools require accounts. Parents will not be able to access tools/files that require AACPS student accounts.
Q: I see one grade in Brightspace for Parent & Guardian and a different grade in the PowerSchool Parent Portal. How do I know which is accurate?
A: Always check PowerSchool Parent Portal for the most accurate grade. The PowerSchool Parent Portal reflects the graded assignments that will determine the report card grade. For difficulties accessing PowerSchool Parent Portal, contact your child's school.
Q: What is Brightspace Portfolio? Why doesn’t my child’s portfolio area show their current work?
A: Brightspace Portfolio is a tool that empowers learners of all ages to independently capture evidence of learning. Learners can maintain their digital portfolio year after year, as they progress through their learning journey.
A: Work placed in the Portfolio by a student or teacher must be shared by the teacher (not all work will be shared) to show in the Portfolio area of Brightspace Parent & Guardian.
This is an optional tool and will not be used by all teachers in all courses. More information on Portfolio
Q: How can I message my child’s teacher through Brightspace Parent & Guardian?
A: Parents should email all questions and concerns to their child's teacher or call the school. Teacher email addresses can be found in the PowerSchool Parent Portal or on the websites for schools under the Staff list.
Q: How do I sign up for the Weekly Overview email for my child?
A: After logging into your Brightspace Parent & Guardian account, click your profile name in the top-right corner, then Notifications. Confirm email settings and select 'Yes, email me a summary' and then Save.
The weekly email overview will be sent from the following address: notifications-noreply@aacpslms.brightspace.com.
Check your email spam folder if you requested a weekly email overview and are not receiving it.
Q: Can I change the default language in Brightspace Parent & Guardian?
A: Yes. After logging into your account. Select your profile name and then Account Settings. Choose a language from the Locale & Language dropdown menu.
Q: Why is my student greyed out and not accessible in Brightspace Parent & Guardian
A: There is no content (Work To Do, Grades, Portfolio items, Latest Posts) to review for the student.
Q: Can I see my Pre-Kindergarten student in Brightspace Parent & Guardian?
A: No. Pre-K studnets are not available in Brightspace Parent & Guardian. Login to Brightspace as your student.