2020s | Policy Analysis for California Education

Student Well-Being and Learning Conditions During the Pandemic

Evidence from the CORE Districts

June 2021 | Report, Infographic

Authors

The CORE Districts in California conducted a survey to measure K-12 students’ social-emotional well-being during the pandemic. Results indicate that students’ personal and interpersonal well-being rated lower than their learning environments. Interpersonal well-being was most correlated with academic achievement. Home/online learning environment improved, but Grades 5-12 students reported not liking school as much in winter 2020-21. Stakeholders should focus on meeting the pressing needs of each group of students.

A School Year Lost, and A Solution Found

June 5, 2021 | The Hill

One of the great lessons of the pandemic is this: American education does not work as it should. It doesn’t work for millions of our parents or millions of our teachers—and it especially doesn’t work for millions of our children...

Many CSU Students See Big Upsides to Online Learning. Now, There Is a Push to Expand It

June 4, 2021 | Los Angeles Times

In early December, California State University leaders made a bold announcement: All 23 campuses would reopen for in-person classes in fall 2021. But with registration underway for the new academic year, the return is looking anything but normal—and it has...

What’s the Best Use for American Rescue Plan Education Funds?

June 4, 2021 | University of Southern California

As the country begins to re-emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, how should schools prepare to re-engage students and staff, some of whom may be hesitant about coming back to school? How should they approach testing and learning loss? As students...

Student Research Network Spotlight Series: Using Research to Promote Equity and Inclusion

June 3, 2021 | Student Experience Research Network

Understanding where and how research has been used to promote equity and inclusion in education can support others to conduct and use research in transformative ways. To that end, Student Experience Research Network has documented two stories of research-based change...

Do College Application Essays Favor the Wealthy?

June 1, 2021 | Inside Higher Ed

Everyone has heard that the SAT and ACT correlate with family wealth. Wealthier students generally attend high schools that are focused on the college application process, and many offer special programs for students to stretch their skills. Wealthier students can...

We Had a Year to Experiment with Online Learning. What Did We Learn?

June 1, 2021 | The Seattle Times

Before schools nationwide moved millions of students from classroom seats to screens, educators at Highline Public Schools in South King County wanted to expand online learning. Back then, Highline saw an opportunity: Online education might be good for students who...

Grappling with Covid’s Impact on Education: Labor and Management Confront the Crisis

May 26, 2021 | Californians Dedicated to Education Foundation

Adapting in a Time of Crisis. Labor-management collaboration is not an absence of conflict or disagreement. It is the ability to work together, lifting up diverse experiences and perspectives, and persevering until we address the issue at hand. Even in...

Turnaround Featured in Restorative Restart: The Path Towards Reimagining and Rebuilding Schools

May 26, 2021 | Turnaround for Children

Turnaround for Children was featured in the report, “Restorative Restart: The Path Towards Reimagining and Rebuilding Schools. ”Developed by Policy Analysis for California Education (PACE), the report notes the impact of COVID-19 on all students, but particularly students of color...

Restorative Restart

The Path Towards Reimagining and Rebuilding Schools

May 2021 | Report, Policy brief, Guide, Infographic

Authors

Jeannie Myung

Hayin Kimner

Benjamin W. Cottingham

Sergio Diaz Luna

Socorro Shiels

Heather J. Hough

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected all students; however, its impact has been particularly devastating for students of color, students from low-income families, English learners, and other marginalized children and youth. As transmission rates decline and vaccination rates increase in California, many are eager to return to normalcy, but we must all recognize that even the prepandemic normal was not working for all students. The 2021–22 school year, therefore, constitutes a critical opportunity for schools to offer students, families, and educators a restorative restart.