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America's Promise Alliance logo

Resource

Where Do We Go Next?

June 23, 2021

cover

The events of the 2020-21 school year—a global pandemic, calls for racial justice, and an unprecedented shift to remote school—have highlighted the challenges and inequities faced by many of America’s young people. To better understand young people’s experiences, America’s Promise Alliance and Research for Action conducted a wide-ranging, national survey of more than 2,400 high school students, providing one of the most comprehensive looks yet at the high school experience during a year of historic upheaval.

Overall, young people’s responses to this national survey suggest that:

Finding 1: High schoolers are struggling with a decreased sense of wellbeing—reporting declines in mental health and concerning levels of disconnection from peers and adults.

Finding 2: Opportunities to learn about race and racism in the classroom vary but are associated with higher levels of critical consciousness and social action.

Finding 3: COVID-19 has upended postsecondary planning, yet feelings of postsecondary readiness are highest among students who are most connected to teachers and peers, have opportunities to discuss race and racism in school, and feel academically interested and challenged.

These findings illuminate several recommendations for school and district leaders to act on in both the immediate recovery period and afterwards:

Recommendation 1: Address student mental health, now and on an ongoing basis. 

Recommendation 2: Teach a comprehensive and accurate history of race and racism in the United States.

Recommendation 3: Prioritize postsecondary success through relevant content and pathways planning.

Recommendation 4: Saturate young people’s environments with caring adult relationships. 

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About the Authors

Center for Promise Squared
Center for Promise

The Center for Promise, in collaboration with Boston University School of Education, is the first-ever research center for America’s Promise Alliance. The mission of the Center is to develop a deep knowledge and understanding about what is needed to help create the conditions so that all young people in America have the opportunity to succeed in school and life. The Center’s work will add to the academic exploration of these issues and help give communities and individuals the tools and knowledge to effectively work together to support young people.

Research for Action
Research for Action

Research for Action (RFA) is a Philadelphia-based nonprofit organization that seeks to use research as the basis for the improvement of educational opportunities and outcomes for traditionally underserved students. RFA’s work is designed to strengthen public schools and postsecondary institutions; provide research-based recommendations to policymakers, practitioners, and the public at the local, state, and national levels; and enrich civic and community dialogue about public education.

The 5 Promises

The 5 Promises represent conditions children need to achieve adult success. The collective work of the Alliance involves keeping these promises to America’s youth. This article relates to the promises highlighted below:

Caring Adults Caring Adults Safe Places Safe Places A Healthy Start A Healthy Start Effective Education Effective Education Opportunities to Help Others Opportunities to Help Others

Other Resources

October 27, 2020
Finding A Way Forward: Young People's Experiences Navigating the World of Work
September 23, 2020
What Drives Learning: Young People’s Perspectives on the Importance of Relationships, Belonging, & Agency
June 11, 2020
The State of Young People during COVID-19
April 08, 2019
Building Systems of Integrated Student Support
February 22, 2018
When Youth Feel Unsafe: Brief Insights on the Cognitive and Academic Effects of Exposure to Violence
January 24, 2018
The Promise of Comprehensive Community Initiatives
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