One California school district is introducing chronic stress, suspensions

The Livingston Union Historical District improved chronic underachievement, suspensions and student well-being by investing in school counselors, according to a new study by the UCLA Center for Learning.

The study examines how Willston Union, a high-quality, 5-campus K-8 district in Merced County, used comprehensive school counseling – an integrated educational support system and families – to lead California in key metrics of post-pandemic recovery.

Livingston Union has reduced chronic unemployment from a high of 18.3% in 2023 to 14.2% in spring 2024, exceeding the goal of reducing unemployment by 3% by the end of the school year, according to the study. By 2024, California reported a nearly 20% dropout rate of 20% in school.

LUSD also reduced suspension rates from 3.4% to 2.8% between 2022 and 2023. The same amount of 3.5% between 20112 and 2023.

Alma Lopez, lead school counselor at Livingston Union, said school counselors are running into “students who are getting a lot of courses on certain subjects, or they’re getting a lot of referrals for detention or suspension.

“We’re looking at data to identify students at the beginning, and then dig a little deeper to try to find out what’s causing the challenge they’re having,” Lopez said. “Then you look at what might be an intervention for that student in a particular situation.”

A student who struggles to complete assignments, for example, may be encouraged to participate in a six- to eight-month group intervention on motivation and growth, while another may join a tutoring group that focuses on study skills. A student dealing with chronic illness can get help by walking, while another can have sessions with a health care provider or psychologist to deal with health issues.

The study also found that school counseling often improves student, safety and well-being at Livingston Union. In the 201920 school year, nearly 10 out of 10 students showed high academic motivation and felt well supported in emotional learning in the community, while 2 out of 10 reported that two years of schooling were often neglected.

Elizabeth Alvarez, a parent of a seventh-grader at Livingston Middle School, reached out to a school counselor after her daughter’s first painful transition from preschool to middle school. Alvarez said her daughter already knows she can go to her counselor for help because she has dealt with her counselor on campus during field time.

“When my daughter met him, and she came home and showed us all these things that the counselor had given her – all these strategies, and the counselor gave us skills,” Alvarez said. “It’s been three years, and my daughter still has all those hams, some in the fridge, some in her bedroom.”

Students with ongoing support from a trusted advisor report better academic and psychological outcomes, according to Edresearch for action. According to Bishop, the author of the UCLA Study, the progress of the Livingston Union reflects that same law on a large scale.

Bishop said: “What strikes me about Livingston is their leadership strength. “In other subtle lessons, there is much benefit. Work [Livingston Union] To make you talk about the idea that you need leaders to stick to the good things that will happen. “

Unlike most schools in California, Livingston’s counselors meet with all students and their families in grades four and six to discuss any academic and personal challenges. They also teach courses in vocational or social-emotional learning, provide one-on-one counseling to students, and connect parents with resources such as food banks, pain counselors and legal aid.

“The fact that we have this long-term relationship allows us to work more closely with our families, because they know us and they trust us,” said Lopez, who has been a counselor at Livingston Union for 20 years. “When the family leaves my room, and they say, ‘When are we going to see you again?’ They see the value in that time with purpose dedicated to each student and their family. “

Alvarez, who grew up on a farm in Merced County and attended Livingston High School, said he struggled to navigate his journey as a freshman without a school guide. In an agricultural village where many parents work 12- to 16-hour shifts a day, Alvarez said Livieston Unijecy’s counselors fill an important role in helping a student’s future.

During the onslaught of mental health requests at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, Lusd also made a strong pivot to remote counseling, classroom studies and opportunities for social interaction through community nights and game nights, said Lopez. They also provide support for children with developmental disabilities that are very important to society.

“We are seeing new energy in behavior and changes in learning,” said Lusd Supt. Andrés Zamora in research. “To this day, we live with that, and our counselors lead in how we support learning and have a lot of influence in how that affects classrooms.”

For many students, early and reliable intervention during an epidemic makes a lasting difference. Lopez recalled when a mother tried to get help after her son lost his father and three other family members during the pandemic.

“The first time I met him, he was in the form of a blanket tied around him, just really hurt. And every time I would see a little bit, I started to open his baby,” said Lopez.

After schools reopened, Lopez said a student came into her counseling office and asked her to continue talking about her grief.

“The impact of attendance, grades and learning to support the way they see is what you really need to see,” Lopez said.

Vani Sanganeria is a reporter for Edsource, A non-profit, non-profit journalism organization covering education in California.