EQuip Our Kids!, a leading advocate for comprehensive education reform, is rallying parents, students, and educators in an ongoing battle against government officials seeking to limit Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) in schools.
For SEL Day today and this weekend parents, teachers, and advocates can learn ways to keep this important tool available to students. EQuip Our Kids stands firm in its commitment to promote SEL as an essential component of a well-rounded education.
Recently, in poignant testimony delivered to the New Hampshire legislative committee discussing House Bill 1476, Jillian Andrews Dubois, accompanied by her six-year-old daughter, shed light on the profound impact of SEL on students' well-being and academic success.
"My daughter Cordelia has been able to take SEL classes, and they've been really wonderful for helping her recognize her emotions and manage her feelings," stated Andrews Dubois. "This isn't something that's separating schools from families; it's something that we can work on together."
Cordelia eloquently shared her firsthand experience with SEL classes, emphasizing their positive impact on her emotional well-being and social interactions. "SEL class helps me stay calm and be happier," she expressed. "They taught me what I could do when I get mad at school or at home."
- Recent findings from the National Center for Education Statistics’ School Survey on Crime and Safety underscore the importance of SEL initiatives in schools. While violence and drug use have seen a decline across public elementary and secondary schools, concerns persist, particularly in middle schools where bullying remains a prevalent issue. Notably, 95% of schools reported engaging in some level of social and emotional learning activities, indicating widespread recognition of its value.
- A new study reveals the detrimental impact of politically-motivated campaigns against SEL, with anti-CRT (Critical Race Theory) narratives contributing to decreased community trust in teachers. In Pennsylvania, a community has taken decisive action by filing a federal civil rights complaint, alleging that far-right policies have fostered a discriminatory and hostile environment for students.
- Recent surveys, including the "Across the Aisle" survey conducted by the Hunt Institute and Lake Research Partners, demonstrate strong support from parents and voters for SEL. Pro-SEL legislation has been introduced in Virginia and Washington, while efforts to ban SEL in New Hampshire are closely monitored.
Recognizing SEL as crucial for equipping students with real-world skills, ensuring safety, fostering academic success, combating bullying, and supporting mental health. EQuip Our Kids! is actively engaged at local, state, and federal levels in supporting SEL initiatives. We also advocate for bipartisan support for education funding, including the maintenance of SEL provisions in the reauthorization of the SUPPORT Act.
As the debate over SEL intensifies, EQuip Our Kids! urges stakeholders to prioritize the well-being and academic success of students, and to tamp down the vitriol. As Cordelia shared, "We learned about being respectful. It means to be kind to others." Thanks to the bravery and insight of the Duboises, and by embracing SEL, we can create safer, more inclusive learning environments that empower students to thrive in school and beyond.
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