Why Advocate for Access to SEL?
The Need for Social Emotional Learning Standards for K-12
Social Emotional Learning (SEL) is the educational process that leads to the development of emotional intelligence- that is, the process by which we become better at understanding and managing our emotions and learning how they impact the choices we make and the relationships we have. It includes the acquisition and the understanding of specific skills that are at the heart of a child’s academic, personal, social and civic development.
The Washington State PTA supports legislation or policies that support freestanding and comprehensive K–12 Social Emotional Learning standards and the state support needed to implement them for all children, including:
Social Emotional Learning is a tool that can be used in closing the opportunity and achievement gap.
Teaching these skills promotes equity and levels the playing field by:
Social Emotional Learning promotes student’s school success and creates a safe and respectful learning environment.
Research tells us that social-emotional learning reduces school violence and discipline issues.
Teacher reports of:
Social Emotional Learning has proven to be effective at simultaneously improving students' academic performance, behavior, and well-being.
Social Emotional Learning proactively aligns with current WA State education initiatives.
Social Emotional Learning (SEL) is the educational process that leads to the development of emotional intelligence- that is, the process by which we become better at understanding and managing our emotions and learning how they impact the choices we make and the relationships we have. It includes the acquisition and the understanding of specific skills that are at the heart of a child’s academic, personal, social and civic development.
The Washington State PTA supports legislation or policies that support freestanding and comprehensive K–12 Social Emotional Learning standards and the state support needed to implement them for all children, including:
- Technical assistance and guidance with curriculum
- Professional development for educators
- Adequate staffing of school psychologists, counselors, school social workers and other school personnel with the training and expertise needed to support teachers in the implementation of a universal curriculum and tiered interventions.
Social Emotional Learning is a tool that can be used in closing the opportunity and achievement gap.
Teaching these skills promotes equity and levels the playing field by:
- Improving study skills and increasing scores on cognitive skills tests by 20%.
- Increasing school attendance and decreasing dropout rates.
- Teaching understanding of an individual’s strengths and weaknesses and the ability to self-regulate. These skills all impact a student’s ability to access, participate and benefit from classroom instruction.
Social Emotional Learning promotes student’s school success and creates a safe and respectful learning environment.
Research tells us that social-emotional learning reduces school violence and discipline issues.
Teacher reports of:
- 32% reduced aggressive behaviors and 36% increased self-control.
- 44% decrease in suspensions and 27% decrease in other disciplinary actions.
- 41% less adult intervention in conflicts
- Improves frustration tolerance and effective conflict resolution.
Social Emotional Learning has proven to be effective at simultaneously improving students' academic performance, behavior, and well-being.
- 23% increase in social and emotional skills
- 9% improvement in attitudes about self, others, and school.
- 9% improvement in classroom behavior
- 9% reduction in conduct problems, such as classroom misbehavior and aggression.
- 10% reduction in emotional distress, such as anxiety and depression.
- 11% increase in standardized achievement test scores (math and reading).
Social Emotional Learning proactively aligns with current WA State education initiatives.
- Aligns with Common Core Standards, expanding “Habits of Mind”.
- Assists in TPEP (Teacher-Principal Evaluation Program) in classroom management.
- Enhances state Bullying policies.
- Addresses WA State Basic Education RCW 28A.150.210 – Goals of School Districts: A basic education is an evolving program of instruction that is intended to provide students with the opportunity to become responsible and respectful global citizens, to contribute to their economic well-being and that of their families and communities, to explore and understand different perspectives, and to enjoy productive and satisfying lives.