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Special Report

Learning Well: Beyond the Pandemic

The pandemic created an array of academic, social and emotional challenges for students, as well as teachers and families. In this section, we look at what educators are doing to help students catch up academically and transition back to in-person learning, with a special focus on mental health, social and emotional learning, and classroom practices that help students succeed.
Learning Well: Beyond the Pandemic
December 3, 2021

Why some California school districts are changing how students earn grades     

Dropping D's and F's and working with students to master the material is seen as a way to improve learning and boost equity.

Carolyn Jones And John Fensterwald
Learning Well: Beyond the Pandemic
October 26, 2021

Can you teach reading on Zoom?

High-tech literacy projects emerged out of the pandemic as a way to ensure young students stay on track as they learn to read.

Karen D'Souza
Learning Well: Beyond the Pandemic
October 5, 2021

Fewer than 4% of California students opted for independent study this year, data shows

Some districts have been preparing for an increase in independent study enrollment and have waiting lists; other programs are relatively small.

Carolyn Jones
Learning Well: Beyond the Pandemic
September 17, 2021

Pandemic effects may have lowered baby IQs, study says

New research says less stimulation, stress on parents during Covid pandemic may factor into average 22-point IQ drop among babies.

Karen D'Souza
Learning Well: Beyond the Pandemic
August 24, 2021

How California teachers are welcoming back English learners — with language and community

Some teachers are focused on giving students who are learning English as a second language lots of time to talk and write about their feelings.

Zaidee Stavely
Learning Well: Beyond the Pandemic
August 18, 2021

What impact will the pandemic have on early literacy? 

Experts share insights on how parents and teachers can help kids — especially those who may be behind — learn to read as they go back to school.

Karen D'Souza
Learning Well: Beyond the Pandemic
August 17, 2021

Inside one Bay Area school district's first day of school

Teachers from West Contra Costa Unified will be reaching out to families one-on-one to address anxieties and ask about hopes for the next year.

Ali Tadayon
Learning Well: Beyond the Pandemic
August 13, 2021

How schools help students who’ve lost loved ones to Covid

At least 30% of California students surveyed by the ACLU said they'd lost a loved one during the pandemic. Some had lost multiple relatives.

Carolyn Jones
Learning Well: Beyond the Pandemic
August 13, 2021

As new school year begins, a focus on social and emotional health

West Contra Costa Unified and other districts are emphasizing social and emotional learning and check-ins as students return to campus.

Ali Tadayon
Learning Well: Beyond the Pandemic
August 10, 2021

After mixed experiences with distance learning, disabled California college students want flexibility

Entering the fall, college students say they want the flexibility to learn how they're most comfortable, whether that's in person or remotely.

Michael Burke
Learning Well: Beyond the Pandemic
August 4, 2021

Reading, writing and bike riding: How schools spent summer helping students recover from pandemic

Schools are prioritizing play and relationship-building this summer in preparation for fall, when schools reopen for in-person instruction.

Sydney Johnson
Learning Well: Beyond the Pandemic
July 6, 2021

Colleges prepare for incoming freshmen with high school learning loss

An academic year of distance learning has left many graduating seniors with gaps in their learning. Colleges are preparing to help with tutoring, summer brush-up and empathetic faculty.

Larry Gordon
Learning Well: Beyond the Pandemic
June 8, 2021

Orange County schools join with Children’s Hospital to address student mental health needs

'Well spaces' and streamlined data systems are meant to broaden students' access to mental health services and will help as campuses reopen.

Carolyn Jones
Learning Well: Beyond the Pandemic
May 26, 2021

Why summer school in California will prioritize fun and reconnecting students 

California school districts are offering robust summer school programs with an emphasis on fun to help reconnect students to their schools.

Diana Lambert
Learning Well: Beyond the Pandemic
April 15, 2021

Why mental health is the key to dealing with learning loss

Upon returning to campus, students will not be able to catch up academically until they feel good emotionally, experts say.

Carolyn Jones