Cathy Vatterott calls for school reform to address student stress

Education researcher Cathy Vatterott argues that current school environments and traditional academic practices may be contributing to the ongoing adolescent mental health crisis. In her book, “The Teens Are Not Alright: School and Classroom Practices to Support Student Well-Being,” Vatterott suggests that schools cannot resolve mental health issues solely through social-emotional learning (SEL) or mindfulness interventions.

Instead, she advocates for a “wellness paradigm” that addresses systemic stressors such as heavy workloads, frequent testing, grading methods, and rigid scheduling. Vatterott proposes that schools should focus on creating environments that support developmental needs by providing students with greater autonomy, reconsidering homework practices, and fostering stronger relationships between students and trusted adults.