Social-Emotional Learning Takes Hold

From NoVO Fdn web

The uptake on social-emotional learning is really impressive. Sometimes I use the word amazing to describe it. Everyone knew it was important. Everyone knew that it was highly related to learning and achievement. Yet our traditional schools virtually ignored it. That's no longer the case.

We are seeing social-emotional learning make its way into districts big and small as well as policy from school all the way to ESEA. Mainstream media is picking it up as well. Honestly, I’m not entirely sure what is behind this quick expansion but my guess is that it was a combination of pent-up demand, advances in the learning sciences, closing off the opportunity for schools to push students out for behavioral issues, foundations directing their funds, evidence for the effectiveness of interventions including curriculum-based approaches that can be easily integrated into school operations. Bottom line: The window of opportunity is wide open and we need to take as much advantage as we can.

Certainly, the focused investments of the NoVo Foundation  are making a huge difference as is the  Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning in playing a catalytic role with its district initiative and focus on policy.

The focus on social-emotional learning is important to vulnerable youth. It is going to make a huge difference for young people experiencing very disrupted lives to have help in being able to articulate their feelings. Schools that understand social-emotional learning are also going to be able to manage positive school climates rather than rely on exclusionary discipline policies. However, from my initial research there are limits to the approaches being developed – we aren’t seeing a deeper discussion or intervention based on how trauma impacts children and youth, nor can I find deeper discussion about how race, culture and class may impact social-emotional learning.  If you know of places where this is happening please leave a comments so that we can all draw on the best knowledge on social-emotional learning available for our young people.