scholarly journals An Unwavering Commitment To Culturally Responsive Sustaining Education & Social Emotional Learning

2021 ◽  
Vol 50 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dawn Brooks-DeCosta ◽  
Ife Lenard

Through an analysis of both SEL and CR-SE practices at an urban school and a social skill building afterschool program conducted through outside support staff, this paper demonstrates the process of providing social-emotional supports with a culturally responsive lens. The authors suggest, without a culturally responsive-sustaining lens, social and emotional supports can lack the trust and connection needed to meet students where they are while acknowledging their unique identities and cultures.

2021 ◽  
pp. 153450842098452
Author(s):  
Christopher L. Thomas ◽  
Staci M. Zolkoski ◽  
Sarah M. Sass

Educators and educational support staff are becoming increasingly aware of the importance of systematic efforts to support students’ social and emotional growth. Logically, the success of social-emotional learning programs depends upon the ability of educators to assess student’s ability to process and utilize social-emotional information and use data to guide programmatic revisions. Therefore, the purpose of the current examination was to provide evidence of the structural validity of the Social-Emotional Learning Scale (SELS), a freely available measure of social-emotional learning, within Grades 6 to 12. Students ( N = 289, 48% female, 43.35% male, 61% Caucasian) completed the SELS and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Confirmatory factor analyses of the SELS failed to support a multidimensional factor structure identified in prior investigations. The results of an exploratory factor analysis suggest a reduced 16-item version of the SELS captures a unidimensional social-emotional construct. Furthermore, our results provide evidence of the internal consistency and concurrent validity of the reduced-length version of the instrument. Our discussion highlights the implications of the findings to social and emotional learning educational efforts and promoting evidence-based practice.


2021 ◽  
pp. 45-47
Author(s):  
Jayashree Das ◽  
Soumitra Ghosh

Adolescence is a challenging and dynamic period due to hormonal, physical, emotional, cognitive and social changes. Aggression in any form, if present or its manifestations is linked to various psychosocial maladjustments or mental disorders and is negatively associated with pro social behavior and adaptive social functioning, especially during adolescence. It may also be a red ag sign for development of mental disorders. It has been reported in many studies throughout the world that, aggressive behaviors are common in schools. One factor that buffers against aggression during adolescence is empathy. Emotional intelligence and empathy are considered key components of emotional education by developing young people's capacity to successfully cope with the pressures of life and demands of their stressful environment. Social-emotional learning (SEL) is one such interventional program that focuses on these issues and helps in improving empathy and decreasing aggression in adolescents. The Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL, 2012) denes SEL as the process of acquiring the skills to recognize and manage emotions, develop caring and concern for others, make responsible decisions, establish positive relationships, and handle challenging situations effectively. Effective SEL programming begins in preschool and continues through high school. SEL improves student attitudes and beliefs about self, others, school and community. There is a growing awareness in the U.S. and European countries among educators and policymakers about the importance of social and emotional development for successful student performance. Also many studies and research on SELintervention in school curriculum has reported that that SELintervention has decreased anger, aggression and has improved empathy. In a way to sum up SELhelps in the holistic development of a student and prepares them to become responsible adults.


Author(s):  
Valeria Cavioni ◽  
Maria Assunta Zanetti

The transition from kindergarten to primary school is a critical period in the development of children. Children who start primary school with good emotional and social skills have more friends, can easily establish new social relationships with peers and adults, and adjust better and achieve more at school. Although in the last couple of decades social-emotional learning programs have received considerable scientific attention in various countries, little is known about the implementation of such programs in the Italian context. This chapter describes a quasi-experimental study on the effectiveness of the implementation of a social-emotional program with Italian kindergarten children. Children's assessment by the researcher and reports from teachers and parents indicated that the program called “By Your Hand” had a positive impact on the social and emotional competence of children over time as they moved from kindergarten to primary school, with indications of enhanced emotional competence and reduced behaviour problems.


Author(s):  
James Cressey

Culturally responsive teaching (CRT), social-emotional learning (SEL), and positive behavioral interventions and supports (PBIS) are powerful, evidence-based approaches to teaching and supporting students. Special educators and related professionals often use an integrated approach that draws from all three perspectives. However, scholarly researchers and professional development providers too often present each approach in isolation. This chapter proposes an integrated model of classroom and behavior management theories and practices, seeking to promote equity, cultural responsiveness, and social-emotional wellness. A review of pertinent research will be offered, followed by a series of real-world case example vignettes illustrating how special educators and rehabilitation professionals have integrated CRT, SEL, and PBIS in their work with students from PreK through high school.


2019 ◽  
Vol 100 (5) ◽  
pp. 59-62 ◽  
Author(s):  
Madora Soutter

A mixed-methods study of a large social-emotional learning (SEL) program revealed notable disparities in the ways that teachers and students perceived the program’s impact. Teachers believed the initiative empowered students, while the students themselves described the program as one that emphasized compliance. Madora Soutter summarizes her findings and offers three recommendations for teachers and administrators implementing social and emotional learning initiatives: Evaluate the intention behind SEL programming to avoid a deficit mindset; anticipate implementation roadblocks, such as the tension between some SEL programs and the inherent power dynamics in schools; and actively, authentically listen to students.


Author(s):  
Ana B Araúz Ledezma ◽  
Karlijn Massar ◽  
Gerjo Kok

Summary Adolescents in Panama face multiple barriers that affect their health, such as high rates of teenage pregnancy, increased human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections and sexual violence. Equal relationships between women and men are likely to reduce such risks. Here, we suggest that the school-based enhancement of Social and Emotional Learning core competencies—awareness of self and others, positive attitudes and values, responsible decision-making, and social interaction skills—could foster positive changes in behaviors between boys and girls, specifically through a focus on equal roles, equal rights in relationships and nonviolent problem solving. This paper, using the Intervention Mapping Protocol, describes the process of development of, and planning surrounding the implementation and evaluation of the program ‘Me and My new World’, a Social Emotional Learning intervention for middle school students (12–15 years old) in Panama. Program development was based on a needs assessment (Araúz Ledezma et al. (2020) Behavioural and environmental influences on adolescent decision making in personal relationships: a qualitative multi–stakeholder exploration in Panama. Health Education Research, 35, 1–14.) and a literature review of theory- and evidence-based Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)-programs. Intervention outcomes, performance objectives and change objectives of the intervention were identified. The practical applications of different theory-based methods allowed for contextual considerations that could potentially influence the expected behavioral outcomes of the intervention. Teachers were the implementers of the program, and during development, implementation, and evaluation, the roles, opinions, and teaching methods of all stakeholders were recognized. We conclude that Intervention Mapping allows for the analysis of multiple factors influencing the development and implementation of Social Emotional Learning programs promoting equal relationships among adolescents in a developing country, with a special consideration of culture, educational systems, and policies, from a capability development perspective.


Author(s):  
Natasha Ferrell ◽  
Tricia Crosby-Cooper

Research has demonstrated the positive relationship between student social-emotional development and academic achievement and overall positive life outcomes. Evidence-based social-emotional practices such as direct instruction in core social-emotional learning (SEL) components, modeling, and reinforcement of appropriate SEL skills have been found to increase student social-emotional functioning, reduce maladaptive behavior and promote prosocial behavior. However, despite reports of positive outcomes based on school-based interventions, there remain questions regarding the appropriateness of strategies and practices for students from racially, culturally, or linguistically diverse backgrounds. In order to address the needs of the “whole child,” educators must view social SEL with a culturally responsive lens to ensure equitable treatment and development for all students.


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