Five difficult realities we face when we talk about social and emotional learning (SEL)

We do not live in an equitable world. We often use the words equal and fair interchangeably, and many of us think the fair thing to do is the right thing to do. But it’s important to remember—equity and equality are not the same. Equality in education means giving all students the same opportunities and the same support. Equity in education means giving students varying levels of support based on their needs so that they can take advantage of those opportunities. Some students need more or different types of support—because we do not live in an equitable world.

This reality was brought to life through student stories, research, and conversations in Austin, Texas last month at a summit we hosted on equity in social and emotional learning (SEL), entitled Equity through SEL: Supporting Student Success in the Transition to Postsecondary. At the Summit, ACT’s Center for Equity in Learning brought together a diverse group of practitioners, researchers, students, and funders who are all working toward a better understanding of issues that students face at the transition point between K-12 and postsecondary education, and how we might start to better coordinate the work needed to change policy, practice and institutional environments to better help students improve their lives...