EXPLORE: Student WellbeingCollege & CareersWeekly Podcast2018 Election
Student Wellbeing
TOPIC

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.
April 3, 2018

California districts to take part in groundbreaking school safety study

Researchers will spend five years studying California schools in order to get a better picture of how they can become places where people feel safer and more connected.

David Washburn
March 26, 2018

Great teachers make every student feel included

A public school teacher’s job is to provide a safe, supportive learning environment for all students.

Jillayne Antoon
March 22, 2018

With increased focus on students' social and emotional skills, teachers turn to class pets to help lead the way

In some schools, class pets do more than help children learn about animals. They are also being integrated into teachers' efforts to help young students learn social and emotional skills, such as self-awareness, responsibility and empathy.

Ashley Hopkinson
March 21, 2018

California tops in suspension reform, but still not properly targeting disparities, report says

The report finds no other state does a better job than California at holding districts accountable for reducing overall school suspensions. But districts still don't adequately prioritize cuts in suspension rates for students of color and other marginalized groups.

David Washburn
March 15, 2018

Oakland Unified initiative for African-American girls follows years of focus on the boys

Like the boys’ initiative, the goal is to boost cultural pride and academic performance, lower suspension and dropout rates and create greater understanding of the students’ singular experiences and needs.

Lee Romney
February 28, 2018

Forecast for California school climates remains cloudy without good data, advocates say

School districts are trying a variety of strategies aimed at creating safe and welcoming school environments, but there is controversy over the role and frequency of student surveys, and how to use them.

David Washburn
February 5, 2018

​Contrary to critics, parents tell pollster they find California’s school dashboard useful

Depending how the question is framed, they also favor rating schools on multiple factors, not issuing a single grade.

John Fensterwald
January 31, 2018

System of positive rewards to reduce student discipline takes off in California

An estimated 1 in 4 schools in the state are implementing the approach.

Lee Romney
January 24, 2018

Student social, emotional and academic development becoming more intertwined in K-12 classrooms

Commission is studying how to make social, emotional, and academic development "part of the fabric of every school."

Lee Romney
January 1, 2018

Young, gay and living on the street: LGBT youth face increased odds of homelessness

Of the nation's 1.6 million homeless youth, 40 percent identify as LGBT, according to one survey.

Carolyn Jones
December 21, 2017

Male teachers provide important role models

Our society should celebrate and respect male teachers in the same way we idolize sports figures and celebrities.

Josh Brown
November 19, 2017

Encouraging students to make mistakes to improve math outcomes

San Francisco Unified incorporates social and emotional learning in math curriculum to provide richer academic lessons and improve student outcomes.

Lizzy Hull Barnes
October 20, 2017

In strategy shift, Gates Foundation to spend bulk of education dollars on 'locally driven solutions'

The foundation says it will spend $1.7 billion on K-12 education over the next five years, on local, regional and state networks, "big bets" on innovation, charter schools, and research and development.

Louis Freedberg
October 19, 2017

In aftermath of fires, schools brace for newly homeless students

As of Monday, Oct. 30 all schools had re-opened except Riebli elementary, Schaefer elementary, Roseland Collegiate Prep and Hidden Valley Satellite. Students at those schools are attending other schools, at least temporarily.

Carolyn Jones
October 4, 2017

New poll: Safe and positive school environment more important than higher test scores

A survey of California registered voters also shows strong support for school districts to devote more funds and resources to addressing the needs of the state’s most vulnerable students.

Louis Freedberg, John Fensterwald, and Theresa Harrington