Social and Emotional Learning

Social and emotional learning occurs when teachers and school staff help students develop the interpersonal skills they need to succeed in school and work. This skill-building happens in the course of everyday instruction, when teachers pause to encourage students to pose a question in a more respectful tone, imagine how others feel, take a deep breath to calm themselves down, break a goal into manageable pieces and more. Social and emotional self-management is thought to set the stage for productive, cooperative learning.

Student Health

January 25, 2021

Love blooms: Covid-19 has changed dating during college, but hardly stopped it

How do you meet new people and find romance during a global pandemic? California college students are finding ways.

Catherine Valdez and Jorge Garcia

Coronavirus

December 1, 2020

Pandemic’s spread in California upends plans for return to school in January — or beyond

Hopes of returning to campus in January after winter break dim, as 51 out of 58 counties enter the state’s “purple” tier indicating that virus is widespread there.

Louis Freedberg

Teacher Voices

November 11, 2020

What we can do to keep our students engaged in learning

The classroom shouldn’t be isolated from what happens in the real world; it should be an extension of students’ lives.

Kandy Galvez

State Education Policy

October 30, 2020

Students getting in-person instruction at accelerating pace in California

There are wide variations in how students are being taught across California, as most of state’s largest districts stick with distance learning.

Louis Freedberg And Alexander Montero

Commentary

October 29, 2020

Expanding social emotional learning so all students can benefit

Resources and funding can help districts provide more support for students during these challenging times.

Linda Darling-Hammond, Jennifer Siebel Newsom and Tony Thurmond

Early Learning

October 1, 2020

Outdoor classes and ‘forest schools’ gain new prominence amid distance learning struggles

Can outdoor schools offer lessons at a time when being indoors is so risky?

Karen D'Souza

Student Wellbeing

September 29, 2020

Even when the smoke clears, schools find student trauma can linger

Schools can serve as a hub for an entire community after a disaster, experts say.

Carolyn Jones

Teacher Voices

September 1, 2020

School communities can help prevent and address student mental health problems

We need support systems in place now, not after mental health incidents begin to surface and escalate.

Sergio Narez

Commentary

August 2, 2020

To overcome the stress of this pandemic, educators must lead with relationships, routines and resilience

It is no exaggeration to say the past five months have been horrible. Students will need extra support when they return to school.

Katie Brackenridge

Teacher Voices

July 24, 2020

Cultural proficiency for teachers can no longer be an option

Teachers must learn to embrace diversity and recognize that cultural differences are assets, not barriers.

Tamra Simpson

Commentary

July 17, 2020

As schools go to distance learning, key strategies to prevent learning loss

California Collaborative for Educational Excellence director offers suggestions for how districts can prioritize and address students' emotional and learning needs.