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There’s a fine line. Some of the ideas behind social emotional learning are good. Don’t bully others. Be honest and hardworking and fair. Be tolerant of other kids who might be different from you. If you are struggling, or in a situation you can’t handle, ask for help. Teachers should recognize and intervene when they see that a kid is not ok. Having a teacher who treats you like you matter and believes in you can be a game-changer. All of these things are good. The problem comes when it’s taken too far. Expectations are lowered. Navel-gazing is encouraged. Everything is interpreted as trauma and used as an excuse not to succeed. Differences aren’t just tolerated, they are emphasized and encouraged. There is no good and bad, no character traits should be encouraged over any others.

I don’t think the answer is for schools to completely wash their hands of all aspects of mental health. But a return to the primary focus being academics, and for the emotional aspect to be focused on building successful kids, would be welcome.

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