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 voices

May 13, 2021

Finding our voices, and our research skills, during the pandemic

Surveying their peers provided high school students with unique insights on the effects of the pandemic.

Gustavo Aguilar, Alex Alejo, Guadalupe Laureano Carranza, Jamie-Lynn Juco, Nareli Juquilita Lopez and Adriana Rios-Cruz

Education during Covid: California families struggle to learn

April 22, 2021

As California schools reopen to in-person instruction, students and families decide if it's right for them

As schools open their doors across California, life remains far from normal for families participating in EdSource's families project. Some families are opting to remain in distance learning, while in Lucerne Valley, students embrace attending five days a week.

EdSource staff

Education during Covid: California families struggle to learn

April 22, 2021

Masks on, temperatures checked: Lucerne Valley students embrace school five days a week

The small district in Southern California’s high desert is among the latest where all students can attend classes in person, five days each week.

Michael Burke, Sydney Johnson, And Jennifer Molina

Policy & Finance

March 22, 2021

California schools, universities condemn anti-Asian attacks, offer support to students

Ethnic studies classes help, but schools and colleges can do more to curb racism, advocates say.

Carolyn Jones And Ashley A. Smith

Education during Covid: California families struggle to learn

March 19, 2021

Teachers reflect on a year of Covid: students struggling, others thriving

Teachers across California spent much of the last year adjusting to an entirely new education landscape of uncertainty, frustration and joy for the students who thrived.

EdSource staff

Race and Equity

March 19, 2021

After 8 hours, 250-plus speakers, California board adopts ethnic studies model curriculum

The state board unanimously adopted voluntary guidance for ethnic studies with one addition, clarifying the role of “critical race theory.”

John Fensterwald

Distance Learning

February 19, 2021

Veteran teachers surveyed worry about Covid’s long-term harm on California students

In the first of a series capturing teachers' experiences, most express alarm over the pandemic's impact on learning and mental health.

John Fensterwald

Commentary

February 17, 2021

New tools can help us better address student trauma

Online platform can help teachers spot and respond to students who are struggling.

Jerry Almendarez

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.