Bill HR 850, The Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning Act of 2015 was introduced by Congressperson Tim Ryan from Ohio in February. The bill is supported by San Diego representative Susan Davis. At the end of April, the Bill was sent to the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education.
According to the website, this bill will amend title II of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to include teacher and principal training in practices that address the social and emotional development needs of students among the activities funded under the Teacher and Principal Training and Recruiting Fund program.
The congressional website also states that the bill will allow funded training to include training in classroom instruction and schoolwide initiatives that enable students to acquire the knowledge, attitudes, and skills most conducive to social and emotional competency.
Is this what we need to be trauma informed in school? I would be interested to hear from others in this community if they believe this is legislation that can help schools and the students they serve.
The Peace Alliance has a cool website with lots of resources about teaching peace in schools. They report that, according to the CDC, students who feel more connected to school are more likely to have positive health and education outcomes. The report shows that a close relationship between the emotional welfare and health of the student can create a safer and more secure environment for learning. To accomplish this goal, the CDC recommends that schools “provide students with the academic, emotional, and social skills necessary to be actively engaged in school.”
Makes sense to me, how about you?
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