‘Change in culture’: New California guidelines aim to help teach social, emotional skills [Press Democrat]

Karen Clemmer 1/2/1910:35 AM

The nation’s schools long ago broadened their missions beyond the teaching of academic subjects and participation in extracurricular activities. Educators have for decades been entrusted to teach students a wider range of life skills, including those that touch on emotions, empathy and relationships with other people.

Now, a new state guide, released Wednesday, offers a slew of resources for teachers and administrators seeking to bolster kids’ social and emotional development.

“Science confirms that learning is not only cognitive, but also social and emotional. These resources help students develop the skills they need to function well in the classroom, the community, in college and their careers,” said state Superintendent Tom Torlakson.

The push toward including socio-emotional curriculum in schools has rippled across the state and in Sonoma County in recent years. Local school officials say it takes time to fully implement social and emotional learning because it requires a cultural shift.

The [ATTACHED] 72-page report from state Department of Education outlines toolkits for parents, online curriculum, trauma training for educators and restorative practices similar to the restorative justice programs implemented in Sonoma County’s larger school districts.

To read the full article written by Susan Minichiello click on Change in Culture

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SEL CA State Resource Guide 2019.pdf

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Doty ShepardMember

@Lara Kain I have been asking myself the same question! The schools near me have embraced social emotional learning, but I feel they are weary of learning another framework like resilience and trauma sensitivity. But as you state so well in your comment, they are so aligned it makes sense to take a whole system approach. If there is anyone out there who as worked to intentially align these frameworks I would love to talk to you!!!

1/5/197:16 AM

Lara KainMember

This looks like a great resource for schools! I see one mention of trauma in the list of resources (National Child Traumatic Stress Network) In the future I would like to see the worlds of SEL and ACEs/Resilience/Trauma-Informed be more directly connected as they are so aligned. It is confusing for schools to have these seen as separate buckets (along with RJ), which leads to initiative fatigue. It would be beneficial to find a way to articulate all of this in a holistic whole system approach. The guiding principles for SEL outlined in the resource and the SAMHSA 6 pillars of TIC (https://www.samhsa.gov/nctic/trauma-interventions) are so closely aligned and mutually reinforcing. Thoughts? How have you seen this done well?

1/2/194:06 PM

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