How common is SEL in schools?

Key Findings. Seventy-six percent of principals and 53 percent of teachers nationally reported that their schools used a social and emotional learning (SEL) program or SEL curriculum materials in the 2021–2022 school year.

What percentage of schools use SEL?

More than 90 percent of schools and districts in the U.S. report a focus on developing students' SEL skills (Duchesneau, 2020). There is growing consensus that implementing SEL programs well by definition includes inclusive, collaborative approaches that value culture and consider context.

Why are parents against SEL in schools?

Those accusations have surfaced during school board meetings, within parent-teacher associations, and during routine parent-teacher conferences, said Hughes. Parents express fears that SEL is a slippery slope—or even an indoctrination tool—to teach kids about racial inequality, gender identity, and sexual orientation.

Does SEL work in schools?

Research shows that SEL has a positive impact on student emotional well-being and academic performance. Educators should always be proactive in communicating the benefits of SEL and why it is a priority in their classrooms.

What are the negatives of SEL in schools?

It can perpetuate a victim mentality. Some SEL programs focus heavily on identifying and coping with emotions like anxiety, fear, and sadness. While it's important to address these issues, there's a risk that children could become too focused on their negative emotions and begin to see themselves as victims.

Julius Malema in Conversation With Phemelo Motene On Kaya FM

What is the controversy around SEL?

Critics of social-emotional learning, like Parents Defending Education, a group tracking what it says is “liberal indoctrination,” say the programs focus too much on children's identities. It shouldn't matter what a child's race or gender is, these parent groups say.

Why do SEL programs fail?

So SEL is rushed, shortened, or even skipped. Note to administrators: you cannot put one more thing on a teacher's plate without at the same time taking something off. The less obvious but perhaps most important reason that SEL programs fail is that they conflict with the SEL program the school already has.

How many schools use SEL?

Key Findings. Seventy-six percent of principals and 53 percent of teachers nationally reported that their schools used a social and emotional learning (SEL) program or SEL curriculum materials in the 2021–2022 school year.

Is SEL a hidden curriculum?

And, because we can also learn unhealthy social and emotional skills and mindsets—like racism, aggression, and helplessness—from our surroundings, it's especially important for educators to bring awareness and intentionality to the hidden SEL curriculum.

Does SEL teach gender identity?

Through self-reflection and social awareness, SEL helps teach skills needed to connect across race, class, culture, language, gender identity, sexual orientation, learning needs and age.

Can you opt out of social emotional learning?

Parents have the right to ask to see lessons and material, including copies of the SEL surveys, prior to instruction. Under Federal Law, parents do have the right to opt their students out of surveys. The Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment, commonly referred to as PPRA, gives parents this right.

Should social emotional learning be taught in schools?

Educators and community agencies serve students with different motivation for engaging in learning, behaving positively, and performing academically. Social and emotional learning (SEL) provides a foundation for safe and positive learning, and enhances students' ability to succeed in school, careers, and life.

Which parenting style leads to poor school performance?

The results of correlation between authoritarian parenting style and educational success show that there is a significantly negative relationship between the parents' authoritarian parenting style and the students' educational success (p=0.03).

How effective is SEL?

9% decrease in conduct problems, such as classroom • misbehavior and aggression 10% decrease in emotional distress, such as anxiety • and depression 9% improvement in attitudes about self, others, • and school 23% improvement in social and emotional skills • 9% improvement in school and classroom behavior • 11 % ...

Does SEL improve academic achievement?

Building on decades of research that demonstrated positive results of SEL, this study confirmed that students who participated in SEL programs do better in school, academically and socially.

What are schools doing to promote SEL?

SEL implementation at the school level focuses on four main areas of activity: Build foundational support and plan, strengthen adult SEL competencies and capacity, promote SEL for students, and reflect on data for continuous improvement.

What is the best SEL curriculum?

What are the three hidden curriculum?

A hidden curriculum is a set of lessons "which are learned but not openly intended" to be taught in school such as the norms, values, and beliefs conveyed in both the classroom and social environment.

How does SEL improve academic performance?

SEL leads to improved academic achievement

When students have supportive relationships and opportunities to develop and practice social, emotional, and cognitive skills across many different contexts, academic learning accelerates.

How does SEL impact teachers?

Until those changes happen, though, SEL can ease some emotional burdens teachers carry. Practicing self-awareness and self-management, two of the CASEL competencies for SEL, helps educators identify their current emotions and take steps to better manage their stress in the moment.

Why should schools implement SEL?

Students and Schools. Social-emotional learning (SEL) helps improve kids' academic performance, curtail bullying, reduce dropout rates, and build character.

How does SEL impact school climate?

Social and emotional learning promotes the development of students' social and emotional skills. School climate promotes a positive, safe, and engaging environment, which allows students and adults to develop and use their social and emotional skills.

Why do high school SEL programs feel lame?

The big problem, researchers and practitioners say, is that too much of what constitutes SEL learning feels patronizing to teenagers and fails to address their core psychological needs and motivations: developing an identity and sense of agency, being recognized and respected by peers, finding ways to excel, and ...

Can SEL reduce school violence?

Research shows that preventative measures focused on developing social and emotional competencies and supportive learning climates can foster emotional safety and help reduce violence. By cultivating skills like self-regulation and problem-solving, SEL promotes mental wellness and reduces risky behaviors.

How does SEL impact mental health?

While SEL and mental health are not the same, SEL can promote positive mental health in many ways. By promoting responsive relationships, emotionally safe environments, and skills development, SEL cultivates important “protective factors” to buffer against mental health risks.