| By: Committee for Children Nonacademic Skills Are Key To Success. But What Should We Call Them? More and more people in education agree on the importance of learning stuff other than academics. http://www.npr.org/sections/ed/2015/05/28/404684712/non-academic-skills-are-key-to-success-but-what-should-we-call-themRead More
| By: Committee for Children CA schools look to add ‘social emotional learning’ to curriculum All students learn the basics: reading, writing, arithmetic. Add to that compassion. http://abc7news.com/education/ca-schools-look-to-add-social-emotional-learning-to-curriculum/501850/Read More
| By: Committee for Children Advocates Rally at Massachusetts State House for Social-Emotional Learning More than 250 members and supporters of the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Alliance for Massachusetts (SAM) joined policymakers at the Massachusetts State House today to announce an educational plan for the Commonwealth that includes a formidable SEL focus. http://www.abcnews4.com/story/29171722/advocates-rally-at-massachusetts-state-house-for-social-emotional-learningRead More
| By: Committee for Children Three Misperceptions about SEL The potential inclusion of an amendment to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) that incorporates both a definition and a specified funding source for social-emotional learning (SEL) has me thinking about SEL often. Foremost in my mind is how to clear up misconceptions about what SEL really is. Talking with senatorial staff on the Hill, friends, and family members about the hopes for federal legislation changes and the importance of SEL for social and academic success both in school and in life, I learned that SEL is not widely understood.Read More
| By: Melissa Benaroya Inside Out: A Parent’s Guide to Viewing & Teaching SEL Skills The recently released Pixar/Disney film Inside Out is a wonderful opportunity for families not only to enjoy an entertaining movie together, but also to have really valuable conversations about the importance of all emotions, what purpose they serve, and how best to express them. Movies such as Inside Out can serve as a valuable tool to teaching social-emotional learning (SEL) and enhance verbal skills when parents are thoughtful about the conversations they have with their children before, during, and after viewing such a film together. Read More
| By: Committee for Children Book Review: Focus: The Hidden Driver of Excellence Renowned psychologist Daniel Goleman turns his attention to…attention in Focus: The Hidden Driver of Excellence. The ability of children and adults – athletes, scholars, artists, and businesspeople – to focus plays a major, though underrated, role in successful navigation through a world rife with distractions. Read More
| By: Committee for Children SEL in the ESEA: Committee for Children and Friends in Washington, DC On May 14, 2015, we were lucky to be joined in Washington, DC, by social-emotional learning (SEL) leaders from around the country to lobby their U.S. Senators. What was the ask, you ask? We want the Senate to include social-emotional learning in the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA, formerly No Child Left Behind).Read More
| By: Committee for Children Inclusion of SEL in the Reauthorization of the ESEA: Do you believe students need to learn how to persevere in the face of challenges and develop lifelong skills to cope with life’s challenges? Do you believe students need support in becoming safe, caring, respectful, and responsible members of the community? Have you benefited from increased classroom instructional time because of less time spent helping students who cannot independently manage difficult or emotionally charged situations? Do you wish you had more resources to support these needs in your school or district? If so, keep reading… Read More
| By: Committee for Children The Lasting and Effective Schoolwide Journey When ALL staff are teaching SEL skills to ALL students, and when ALL students are learning, supporting, and reinforcing one another in using these skills, it can foster a positive climate and culture. It can also lead to many other positive outcomes such as improved attitudes and behaviors, fewer negative behaviors, better academic performance, and reduced emotional distress for students. Read More