There was a discussion about an outside agency coming in to “train” students of all grades in “Social and Emotional Learning” at a particular NH-based School District. What concerned folks was its progressive word-salad mission statement (shared below).
And (also of concern) that our Federal and State Government Executive Branches often exceed their statutory authority as written by our elected representatives (and SCOTUS has started a determined effort to rebuff and constrain bureaucracies back into the legal limits set by duly written and passed laws), this is appropriate:
“Acceptance and inclusion” means you must tolerate boys competing in girls’ sports and accept the loss of your parental rights. I voted no on adding SEL to our Definition of Student Success when I was on the School Board. I was the only 1 of 7 to vote No.Divine Right of Bureaucrats is NOT an acceptable substitute for Divine Right of Kings. Free people reject both.
We should reject it all, but we are living in a neo-aristocracy that is often best shown when we bump up against “Left captured” agencies and subdivisions-of-the-State. Many people take Government at face value and accept, pretty much, what it says. This is counter to our Founding when Americans, highly skeptical of government, knew it would develop its own special interests and move away from serving citizens to serving itself.
Doubt me?
WHY, then, has it been so easy for me to publish story after story coming out of the Public (Government) School system where staff members are doing exactly what I just said?
SEL -> Social and Emotional Learning. Time spent on that is NOT time spent on base academics. There can be no objective measures for SEL lessons – and this shows, to me, at least, that they no longer care about standardized testing that allows parents to determine how well their employees are fulfilling their jobs.
And remember, the Left has redefined “Inclusion” to be “we’ll include anyone into our clique as long as you agree with us. Otherwise, our definition of “inclusion” means we can exclude anyone that doesn’t. Like all of their other re-definitions, this tremendously skews any discussion and argument to their premises.
“Acceptance” means “You WILL accept what you are told to believe and told how to behave. Otherwise, there will be repercussions that you won’t like” which will be a cross between the old style of shunning and Mao’s Red Guard’s “struggle session” in which you will learn to love Big Brother. “1984” was meant to be a warning, not a How-To manual.
Here is that Mission Statement:
The Browne Center works with a variety of youth and student populations to promote learning and personal growth in participants.
Our programs consist of a customized sequence of experiential activities that foster individual and team growth. In an environment that is fun, safe, and respectful, our programs also provide opportunities for participants to make positive choices, gain self-confidence, and learn skills that are critical to their development.
With a long history of working with schools, The Browne Center has developed a year-long in-school Social and Emotional Learning curriculum.
Whether a year-long implementation or a “peak day” at The Browne Center challenge course, our programs enhance skills in:
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- Social & Emotional Learning
- Empathy and Trust
- Communication and Leadership
- Team Development and Community Building
- Healthy Risk Taking and Resiliency
- Conflict Resolution
- Diversity and Inclusion
Youth & Student Programs Overview [PDF]
Common outcomes for our youth participants include:
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- Building skills in collective leadership, teamwork, problem-solving and conflict resolution.
- Understanding how effective communication and peer support can enhance group decision-making, the development of trust, and positive risk-taking.
- Creating an atmosphere of acceptance and community.
- Welcoming and integrating new students.
- Offering opportunities for students to take positive risks.
- Strengthening relationships between staff and students.
- Deepening student’s awareness around accountability and responsibility.
- Developing skills needed to be able to resolve team conflicts.”
It all sounds “nice”, doesn’t it? As opposed to doing pre-calculus, Physics II, Chemistry, Civics, and American History….
Does any of this speak to our Founding Principles beneath the flowing, smooth verbiage?
