Press Release: Councilmember Todd Introduces Bill to Improve Social and Emotional Skills Among District’s Youth

News Release — Ward 4 DC Council member Brandon Todd

February 4, 2020

CONTACT:

Eric Feldman

This legislation establishes a Social Emotional Learning Task Force that will study and expand issues relating social-emotional learning

Social-Emotional skills include the ability to: set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, make responsible decisions, and understand and manage emotions

Washington, DC – Today, Councilmember Brandon Todd (D-Ward 4) introduced the “Social Emotional Learning Task Force Establishment Act of 2020.”

Social and emotional learning is critical to the growth of our students. These everyday skills are essential for one to establish and maintain relationships, feel and show empathy, and make responsible decisions.

As such, it is important that the District of Columbia ensure that our students are properly educated on these topics. This legislation establishes a Social Emotional Learning Task Force that will study issues relating to best practices for the promotion of social-emotional learning in schools and promote and expand social-emotional learning.

Specifically, duties of the task force will include:

• Identifying successful models of social-emotional learning that are being implemented by school districts in other states,
• Analyzing the suspension and expulsion rates, prior to and after, a successful social-emotional model has been implemented in a school district,
• Developing and implementing a District-wide framework for social-emotional learning that is trauma-informed, culturally sustaining, and developmentally appropriate, and
• Identifying professional development opportunities for teachers and educational staff.

Studies have shown that social and emotional learning programs can promote academic achievement and positive social behavior, and reduce conduct problems, substance abuse, and emotional distress. Social-emotional learning also empowers students with knowledge and skills that impact not only their academic lives, but their success and happiness as adults.

“Social and emotional learning is about helping students develop a range of skills they need for school and life,” Councilmember Todd said. “As elected officials, it is our responsibility to ensure that our students are also learning. Studies have shown that adopting social-emotional learning supports positive school communities and improved academic outcomes. Making social-emotional learning a foundational aspect of the District’s approach to educating our students will have profound and lasting benefits.”

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