Junior Achievement Survey Also Shows Teens Needing Emotional Support from Adults and Individual Attention from Teachers to Help with Learning
A new survey of teens conducted for Junior Achievement by the research firm ENGINE Insights shows that nearly 2-in-5 (39%) feel that they are behind educationally because of the pandemic. Of those, more than a third (37%) feel they are behind permanently. The survey also found that in addition to attending school in-person and interacting with other students and teachings, many teens (34%) need “emotional support” from teachers, parents, counselors, and other caring adults to help their “mental well-being,” as well as more individual attention from teachers (32%) to help with their learning. The 2021 survey of 1,003 13- to 17-year-olds was conducted by ENGINE Insights from July 8 through 13, 2021.
“These results indicate that the pandemic may have a profound and long-term impact on today’s young people, not just academically, but emotionally,” said Dr. Les McCabe, JASoCal President & CEO. “It’s up to all of us, educators, parents, caregivers, counselors, mentors, and youth development professionals, to do what we can this school year and beyond to give young people the support they need. JASoCal is prepared to offer both in-person programming and virtual programming depending on the needs of our schools and students.”
JASoCal continues to adapt to the ever-changing needs of our students and schools, providing solutions, like creating the first 3DE Schools by Junior Achievement in California, opening at Crenshaw High School in August. 3DE Schools systematically address the structural inequalities in education by providing access to in-demand careers, fostering school stability through engagement, and building a culture of inclusionary instruction and individual value.
Additionally, on October 21, 2021, JASoCal will host a 3rd installment in a series of JA Virtual Town Hall meetings that give students direct access to some of the region’s best business leaders, entrepreneurs, and influencers as they offer simple, straightforward strategies to help empower participants to strive toward a bright and successful tomorrow. This event is open to all students and teachers.
Other findings from the survey include:
- A third of teens (34%) have concerns about attending school in-person this year, compared to two-thirds (66%) who have little to no concerns.
- COVID-19 impacted the way education was delivered for nearly all students. Most teens (56%) rated the quality of education during the pandemic as “fair/poor,” while the rest (44%) rated it as “excellent/very good/good.”
- Teen interest in participating in online-only classes in the future was split down the middle, with nearly half interested (46%) and almost half not (48%).
