Students in California were satisfied with distance learning, but their personal well-being suffered, study finds

Students in California had relatively high marks for their online learning experiences during the pandemic but were less satisfied with their personal well-being and social relationships, according to a survey released Tuesday by Policy Analysis for California Education.

Researchers asked 32,000 4th through 12th graders at 126 schools around the state in fall 2020 and winter 2021 how they felt about distance learning compared to in-person school, and their personal sense of well-being. Results for some students were paired with academic records.

Overall, students at all grade levels said their teachers cared about them, treated them with respect and supported their academic efforts. But while learning remotely, many said they often felt worried or sad and disconnected from their peers. Students with disabilities experienced those feelings more often, according to survey results.

But even as their personal sense of well-being stagnated or declined, middle and high school students’ opinions of distance learning improved over time, according to the research.

“This is a testament to the efforts of administrators, educators, families, and parents to improve online learning experiences,” the report said. “However, likely due to the continuation of remote learning, students in grades 5–12 reported that they did not like school as much in winter 2020–21 compared with how they had felt at the beginning of the school year. … This data (can help) education stakeholders focus their efforts on meeting the most pressing needs of each group of students.”