Bill Caption

Relating to the adoption of social and emotional learning standards for public school educational programs.

Fiscal Notes

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

Bill Analysis

HB 4454 would require the State Board of Education to create standards for emotional and social learning. This would include development of competency in self management, self awareness, social awareness, and responsible decision making.

Vote Recommendation Notes

We oppose HB 4454 because it would place school districts in the position of being the arbiter of appropriate standards for emotional and social learning, self management, self awareness, social awareness, and responsible decision making. This is not the proper role of public education. This is the proper role of parents.

Also, there is no objective standard for emotional and social learning. The lack of such a standard could lead to creation of subjective standards which stifle free speech by discriminating against unpopular or politically incorrect expression, especially if school districts took the additional step (as they almost certainly would) of disciplining students for violating "social awareness" standards even in their off-campus life. This would leave too much room for partisan or ideological indoctrination which has no place in public education.

School districts should stick to their core competencies and leave the teaching of social values to parents.