is sel a hoax?

By Sam Piha

​I am a strong supporter of social emotional learning (SEL), as the SEL competencies undergird learning. However, I believe that it is important to be aware of opposing views, and the dialogue that follows.
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On June 21, Chester E. Finn Jr. wrote an essay on the Thomas B. Ford Institute’s website entitled Why Are Schools Still Peddling the Self-Esteem Hoax? He suggested that SEL is rooted in ‘faux psychology’. I encourage you to read this article.

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Photo Credit: Swoon Reads

Education Week published several responses to this essay from afterschool and educational leaders. They included Alice Ray (Ripple Effects), Roger Weissberg (CASEL), Gil Noam (PEAR Institute), Camille Farrington (Consortium on School Research at the University of Chicago), and others.

​If you are interested in SEL, I highly recommend that you review this essay and the responses that followed.

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