Virginia Regulatory Town Hall
Agency
Department of Education
 
Board
State Board of Education
 
Guidance Document Change: The 2020 Virginia General Assembly passed House Bill 753 directing the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) to develop guidance standards for social emotional learning (SEL) for all public students in grades Kindergarten through 12 in the Commonwealth. The Virginia Social Emotional Learning Standards were developed in collaboration with an SEL Advisory Committee, composed of educators, community leaders, agency personnel, and parents. The Virginia SEL Standards are aligned with the Profile of a Virginia Graduate and centered in equity. This intentional focus allows the Standards to explicitly teach the skills needed to be “life ready” and to create more equitable learning environments.
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5/22/21  7:40 am
Commenter: James C. Sherlock

No one in school system is licensed to practice clinical or applied psychology required by SEL
 

I am going to provide the common definitions that apply to SEL.  Read them and tell me who in the school system is qualified and licensed to teach SEL.  The answer is no one.  This is group psychology, requiring a licensed clinical or applied psychologist.

I refer you to http://www.dhp.virginia.gov/psychology/psychology_laws_regs.htm for the laws of Virginia governing the practice of psychology.  

Refer in particular to 18VAC125-20-150. Standards of practice:

"B. Persons licensed by the board shall:
1. Provide and supervise only those services and use only those techniques for which they are qualified by training and appropriate experience. Delegate to their employees, supervisees, residents and research assistants only those responsibilities such persons can be expected to perform competently by education, training and experience. Take ongoing steps to maintain competence in the skills they use;"

18VAC125-20-160. Grounds for disciplinary action or denial of licensure. 

"4. Negligence in professional conduct or violation of practice standards including but not limited to this chapter;
5. Performing functions outside areas of competency;"

Definitions applicable to SEL:

"CASEL defines SEL as the process through which children and adults understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions."

"School psychologists work to support students through various developmental and mental health issues on an individual level. They focus on assessing and testing students who may qualify for special services."

"School counselors also touch on mental health issues, but they tend to work with the entire student population. Their work can also include crisis intervention and preparing students for future educational and professional experiences."

 

CommentID: 98639