Missouri Board Of Education Votes To Make Social-Emotional Learning Guidelines Optional

After some public pushback, the Missouri Board of Education has voted to roll back a proposed plan to create social-emotional learning standards.

Instead, it will provide optional guidelines for the state’s K-12 public schools to use – if they so choose. Social-emotional learning is intended to teach students interpersonal skills, how to regulate emotions, and empathy to help them be successful in life.

Board President Charlie Shields, of St. Joseph, says public controversy does not mean moving forward is the wrong thing to do.

The board plans to continue working on ways to deal with student behaviors and classroom management because teachers are asking for help with these issues.