A Case Against Social and Emotional Learning

• In Event: 56.020 - "Equal Education Opportunity": Seeking Clarity to an Unclear Promise

Abstract

We are struck by the discourse of trauma and the prominence it has been given in the 2017 AERA research submissions call (see dimension four). We question the intention of its use. We agree that trauma is of worthy concern and we recognize that the conjuring of any trauma discourse is likely emerging out of a dangerous and popular discourse of social and emotional learning/healing rampantly being used as a discourse of compliance especially in response to resistant youth. Using critical sociocultural perspectives ranging from (dis)ability studies, embodied resistance, and critical discourse studies, we analyze three distinct case studies of social emotional discourses where we cast light on their damaging impact for both teachers and traumatized/resistive youth.

Authors

• Tracey Pyscher, Western Washington University

• Anne Crampton, Saint Olaf College