A Snapshot of U.S. Public School Teacher Perspectives on Social, Emotional, and Civic Learning SEL
- Author(s):
- Rikoon, Samuel H.; Hamilton, Laura S.; Olivera-Aguilar, Margarita
- Publication Year:
- 2023
- Source:
- Research Notes
- Document Type:
- Publication
- Page Count:
- 14
- Subject/Key Words:
- Civic Education, Social and Emotional Learning (SEL), COVID-19, K-12 Education, Instructors' Perceptions, Elementary Secondary Education
Abstract
In this report, we present nationally representative teacher survey data that shed light on how teachers were approaching social and emotional learning (SEL) and civics toward the end of 2021, when the COVID-19 pandemic was still disrupting learning environments and broader reckonings were placing new demands on educators. Our findings supplement a growing body of data gathered from United States public school teachers about their beliefs, needs, and practices related to SEL and civic learning. The data show that (1) most teachers and schools support SEL, but fewer have sufficient SEL resources, (2) most teachers also lack access to SEL assessment data to inform instruction, and (3) large majorities of teachers believe SEL-related civic competencies are important, but smaller majorities report emphasizing them in instruction. Implications of these findings are discussed.