Missouri wants to teach students to be better humans through social-emotional learning

Poor classroom behavior is pushing some teachers out of the profession. The Missouri Department Elementary and Secondary Education wants to implement learning standards including self-awareness, respect and empathy.
Since the COVID-19 school closures, student behavior that is disruptive to the classroom setting has reportedly grown worse.

"Teachers are finding it really difficult to to teach the curriculum that they're being instructed to teach simply because they can't get past the student misbehavior and disciplinary issues in the classroom," said Jen Foster, PhD, co-chair of the social-emotional learning standards work group developed by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

A work group of educators, counselors and mental health experts are working to formally introduce social-emotional standards into K-12 education. The standards are designed to make students more aware and accountable for how their actions affect themselves and those around them.