The Potential Consequences of Dismantling SEL in Schools

Nicole Benquechea, Social Media Specialist, Margaret Bass, Communications Assistant, and Meghan Wenzel, Researcher & Co-Editor

Could dismantling social and emotional learning (SEL) in schools lead to far-reaching consequences for students? SEL has been a popular and widely accepted part of pre-K through high school curricula across the country for several decades (Edutopia, 2011). A recent meta-analysis, which reviewed studies of one million students over 10 years, found that SEL approaches have consistent, positive effects on student outcomes, including increased social and emotional skills, attitudes, and academic achievement, and fewer problems with conduct and emotional distress (Durlak, Mahoney, & Boyle, 2022).  

However, despite these proven benefits, SEL has recently become a target of culture wars. Conservative parent groups, lawmakers, and political strategists are targeting it, claiming it distracts from academics and is part of a “woke agenda” to teach progressive ideas in school (Abrams, 2023).  

Understanding Social Emotional Learning 

SEL programs are intended to help students learn and use “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” (National Center on Safe Supportive Learning Environments, 2024). These skills are essential for students to navigate through their academic and personal lives successfully.  

SEL has been an essential component of education that promotes students' well-being and academic success. According to a study by Jones et al. (2021), students who participated in SEL programs had 11% higher academic achievement, 10% higher positive social behaviors, and 8% lower behavioral problems than those who did not participate...

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Empowering Educators: Tackling Bullying Head-On

Leah Bullinger, Consultant

Bullying in schools is a pervasive and deeply concerning issue that continues to cause harm to generations of students. From in-person assaults to virtual threats, bullies’ tactics are both varied and damaging. The consequences extend far beyond immediate emotional distress for victims, often leading to decreased academic performance, social withdrawal, and even severe mental health issues such as depression and suicidality (Cowie & Myers, 2017). Similarly, bullying behaviors can also negatively affect bullies, especially in emotional and mental health outcomes (Wolke & Lereya, 2015).  

Overall, bullying can damage school culture and evoke feelings of fear and insecurity among students. At its core, bullying undermines students’ fundamental right to safety and dignity. 

Bullying by the Numbers 

According to researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Bullying is widespread in the United States. Bullying negatively impacts all youth involved, including those who are bullied, those who bully others, and those who witness bullying, known as bystanders” (2020).  

Researchers have found that: 

• Nearly half of U.S. teens and about 15% of all tweens have been cyberbullied (Vogels, 2022; Patchin & Hinduja, 2020).  
• Older teen girls are especially likely to have experienced online bullying. 54% of 15–17-year-old girls have experienced cyberbullying, compared to 44% of boys of the same age and 41% of younger teens (Vogels, 2022)...

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Navigating Relationships: Understanding Loneliness and Student Mental Health in the Digital Age

Meghan Wenzel, Researcher & Co-Editor

Technology permeates almost every aspect of our lives – sharing information, accessing goods and services, learning, socialization, dating, politics, and more. Today’s students have grown up immersed in technology, navigating the added complexities of the internet and social media on top of traditional challenges associated with adolescence, puberty, and coming of age. If that’s not enough, they also experienced Covid and quarantine measures during key developmental years. 

Quarantine and social distancing significantly disrupted in-person interactions, risking negative impacts on adolescents’ social development (Cameron & Tenenbaum, 2021). Adolescents were more affected by social consequences of the pandemic than were adults (Unni, 2020). Social isolation and loneliness were associated with increased anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation among youth (Loades et al., 2020), and less in-person and digital socialization and less social support were associated with greater psychopathology during the pandemic (Rodman et al., 2024). 

Social isolation and loneliness can have lasting impacts on children’s development, behavior, academic achievement, and well-being. It is more important than ever for educators to build strong school communities and culture, foster strong relationships, teach key social and emotional skills, and build in time for quiet boredom and stillness in an increasingly inundated and fast paced world...

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