As schools are opening up for the new academic year, the spotlight shines on the significance of Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) and its evolving landscape. In February 2023, Montana state Rep. Lola Sheldon-Galloway's bill to ban SEL sparked discussions about its importance and challenges. While her stance shifted due to overwhelming support for SEL (Sheldon-Galloway was quoted as saying, ““Maybe I did not have a clear vision of that, … So, you have taught me well.”), misconceptions still surround it.

SEL attempts to equip students with skills like emotional regulation, empathy, and relationship-building. Despite its positive impact and integration into all 50 states' academic standards, it faces opposition. Parents' rights movements, fueled by COVID-19-related closures, have characterized SEL's purpose as having shifted over time from promoting morally neutral soft-skills like self-awareness, self-management, empathy, and goal setting, to Transformative SEL, defined by the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) as “... a process… to critically examine root causes of inequity and to develop collaborative solutions that lead to personal, communal, and societal well-being.” This has led to a great deal of confusion and mistrust as to the motives behind SEL implementation. 

The misinformation overshadows SEL's rapid rise, driven by the pandemic's impact on mental health. SEL's inclusion in state frameworks emphasizes its significance, but addressing misinformation remains a challenge.

Research underscores SEL's positive impact on academics and behavior, with studies showing that an education grounded in SEL positively impacts high school graduation rates, postsecondary enrollment, postsecondary completion, employment rates, and even wages. To counter the misinformation swirling around SEL, open conversations and accurate information are vital. Amidst opposition and confusion, prioritizing open conversations and accurate information can ensure SEL enhances students' holistic development. 

On the West Coast, the California Department of Education (CDE) is playing a pivotal role in promoting SEL through their comprehensive web page dedicated to social and emotional support. Resources on the website cater to educators, educational leaders, and families/guardians in K–12 schools.

SEL focuses on fostering emotional intelligence, with skills ranging from empathy to responsible decision-making. As mentioned, research validates SEL's positive impact on academic achievement and interpersonal skills through decreased dropout rates and fewer behavior issues. The same research indicates lower instances of drug use, teen pregnancy, mental health problems, and criminal behavior.

The CDE resource page offers a wealth of strategies for integrating SEL into classrooms and nurturing emotional well-being. Collaboration between educators, parents, and communities is emphasized, ensuring consistent support for students. Educator empowerment is crucial for successful SEL implementation, and CDE's resource page helps to equip teachers with the tools they need to be successful in their classroom.

As my wife returned to her school and students this week for the new school year, she commented to me “our new SEL focus has really helped me become a better teacher.” After over 30 years in the classroom, and with all of her initial resistance to the training, materials, and time required to get up to speed, she believes that she now has a far better understanding of where her students are coming from and how she might better help them as they prepare to learn each day. 

Mrs. Wilson no longer feels the need to be overly reactive when students fail to complete assignments, stay on task, or even demonstrate moments of behavioral variability. What SEL has meant for my veteran teacher wife has been a higher level of peace and control in her classroom management, greater empathy for her students, and proactive tools she has at her disposal to increase the Social-Emotional competencies of her 4th grade students.