Learning is not just a cognitive process. Research shows that powerful social and emotional factors affect learning. These factors influence students' abilities to attend to and direct their learning; students' engagement in learning activities; and teachers' ability to connect with, challenge, and support students. Social and emotional factors are particularly important for students served in neglected or delinquent settings--who often come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds; are students of color; or have emotional, behavioral, and learning disabilities. Research suggests that it is hard to improve academic outcomes for these students without addressing social and emotional barriers to learning that they face. To help them advance academically, the following factors that create effective conditions for learning must be addressed in a culturally competent and youth-guided manner: (1) Safety; (2) Support; (3) Social and Emotional Learning (SEL); and (4) Engagement and Challenge. These conditions are interdependent and reinforce each other. This brief is divided into four sections focusing on the conditions for learning described. Each section defines the condition, cites relevant research, provides strategies to foster the condition, and offers resources to further one's knowledge and development of the condition.