SEL is definitely vital to growing students and is something schools have been implementing for years. SEL in K-2 is so important for little ones to learn to deal with the rigor of the VDOE curriculum. As a professional, it is something I have pushed for, for a long time. Our pre-k and kindergarten students need to learn how to do school before learning academics. Without learning how to do school it presents double obstacles when tackling teaching the fast paced academics VDOE sets for us.

However, I am confused and concerned over the use of the words standard and curriculum. Is this just another something kids will have to be tested on? I assume if it is a standard then it has to be measured and reported somehow. That is my concern with this, is it just going to be thrown on the teachers as yet another thing and/or another SOL students must take? That is not what SEL is about or it is our goal as mental health professionals. We want to instill these skills into our students, empower them to be the best they can be, but if doing so means they have to sit for yet another test or teachers have to teach to yet another test then our goals are futile.

I wonder if VDOE can require each school to teach SEL, taught by our school counselors, and then require schools to simply report what program/scope and sequence these professionals are using. This method allows the school counselors to continue to do what they are doing, mandates time and resources for SEL instruction without burdening teachers or students with tests.