How Schools Can Meet Students’ Academic and Emotional Needs at the Same Time

Over the past year, administrators and educators have been faced with no-win decisions on what matters more. Should the priority be tackling students’ academic needs or emotional trauma? Should districts implement universal supports (such as an extended school year or regular assessments) for everyone or should they customize those supports for each student (even if that takes more time and resources)?

At a time when communities are wrestling with many heated divisions, it can be easy to take an “either/or” approach to these kinds of issues. But we’ve seen again and again that this approach results in solutions that don’t last and plans that leave out key voices.