America's Promise Alliance - Making the promise of America real for every child

COVID-19 and the resulting school closures have threatened the emotional health and social connections of young people across the country. America’s Promise Alliance conducted a nationally representative survey of more than 3,000 young people aged 13-19, after most schools had been closed for more than four weeks due to the pandemic. Findings from the survey are outlined in our new brief, which illustrates the mental and emotional toll COVID-19 has taken on young people.

Here are some key survey findings:

Since their school buildings closed, young people’s levels of concern about the present and future have increased. For example, more than half of young people (52%) are much more concerned than usual about their own and their family’s physical and emotional health, 39% are more concerned about their current and future education, and 30% are more concerned about having their basic needs met.
Indicators of overall health and wellbeing have suffered. More than 1 in 4 young people report an increase in losing sleep because of worry, feeling unhappy or depressed, feeling constantly under strain, or experiencing a loss of confidence in themselves.
More than one-quarter of students (29%) say they do not feel connected at all to school adults. Similar percentages do not feel connected to classmates (23%) or to their school community (22%).

Some differences emerged among various demographic groups. For example, Asian students are more likely than their peers to feel disconnected from their school communities. More findings, including further information on demographic differences, are available in the brief.

READ NOW: The State of Young People during COVID-19

Taken together, the findings suggest that students are experiencing a collective trauma, and that they and their families would benefit from immediate and ongoing support for basic needs, physical and mental health, and learning opportunities. It’s also worth noting that recent events, including the tragic killing of George Floyd, have most likely intensified the impact on young people’s wellbeing. Unfortunately, this heightened need is colliding with a looming fiscal crisis that is already beginning to affect schools and districts. As districts and youth-serving professionals plan for the summer and next year, it will be critical to listen to young people as part of a sustained and evolving response to their needs.

This brief is the first in a multi-part series of research on #HowLearningHappens. Later this month, we will share the results of a qualitative study based on conversations with more than 100 young people participating in six learning settings across the country that are focused on social, emotional, and cognitive growth.

SPREAD THE WORD ON TWITTER

How do young people perceive the impact of #COVID19 on their lives? To find out, @AmericasPromise’s #CenterForPromise conducted a nationally representative survey of young people aged 13-19. https://bit.ly/37wLwjp #HowLearningHappens @BUWheelock

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