Enriching Education: EQ Learning

 

• Declaring a “Youth Mental Health Crisis,” US Surgeon General Murthy recently issued an alarm calling for a “whole of society” response to help large numbers of  America's youth who are severely impaired - possibly for their entire lives - if not supported. Dr. Murthy seeks rapid advancement of SEL in all schools to help teach millions of kids how to manage their emotions, reclaim their capacity for learning, and gain life skills for success. Backing this call, President Biden on March 11, SEL Day, issued a proclamation supporting advancement of SEL in American schools.  
• A 2021 survey of parents by the conservative Fordham Institute found that 80% or more of parents want their schools to teach the specific life skills covered by SEL, even though most parents didn’t know that SEL provides those skills. Most disliked the term social-emotional learning.
• The 21 independent state SEL organizations who collaborate under the banner of SEL4US.org have been in the forefront of countering misinformation regarding SEL. They have developed important awareness information and tools.
• The first meaningful federal funding for SEL was embedded in the mental health category of the American Rescue Act. Many schools are struggling with how to use it.
• EQuip Our Kids! has created a webinars for parents featuring SEL experts whose own children have experienced this learning in their schools. They are offering free similar webinars to individual businesses and organizations for their parenting employees, customers or members.