According to CASEL , K-12 educators and policymakers across the nation largely agree on the benefits of teaching SEL skills to support positive effects on academic success , including workforce readiness , school attendance and graduation , college preparation and , ultimately , life success .
Citing SEL skills as a stronger predictor than academics of positive student outcomes , how do American students fare in the SEL arena ? U . S . high school students “ lag behind many of their international counterparts in an important skill – selfcontrol ” ( Steinberg , 2014 ). Self-control sounds a lot like grit , coupled with managing emotions . This contention is supported by a recent report titled “ Promoting Grit , Tenacity , and Perseverance : Critical Factors for Success in the 21st Century ,” commissioned by the U . S . Department of Education ( 2013 ). The title alone stresses the value being placed on students attaining these skills .
Although some consensus has been reached on key priorities for K-12 education , just how these objectives are to be
achieved is the topic of continued debate . Educators and policymakers strive to move the needle on the ever-present achievement gap that divides students at each end of the socio-economic spectrum . Meanwhile , emerging research on the role expanded learning and after school programs play in tackling the objectives of narrowing the achievement gap and educating the whole child warrants a deeper look into what works in education .
What is SEL ?
Social-emotional learning skills are often referred to as soft-skills or non-cognitive skills . Camille Farrington , a leading researcher in the field , describes non-cognitive skills as all factors outside of “ content knowledge and academic skills ” that contribute to student success ( Zinshteyn , 2015 ).
Considered by many as the preeminent authority on SEL , CASEL defines SEL as the process through which children and adults acquire and effectively apply the knowledge , attitudes and skills necessary to understand and manage emotions , set and achieve positive goals , feel and show empathy for others , establish and maintain positive relationships , and make responsible decisions .
Few would argue the relevance of instilling these skills in our students . Yet , while social-emotional learning is receiving a warm embrace , SEL ’ s attendant step-sister is scrutinized heavily .
GRIT : Why the bad rap ?
Researcher Angela Duckworth defines grit as “ passion and perseverance for longterm goals .” On the surface , this definition does not appear to warrant much criticism . However , the concept of grit is most familiar as applied to the military – as in , it takes a lot of grit to make it through boot-camp .
Among other groups included in her research , Duckworth ’ s team ( 2007 ) studied cadets and graduates of the highly competitive West Point Military Academy to examine what character traits were represented in those who completed the program vs . cadets who dropped out . Duckworth ’ s September | October 2016 17