On Monday, April 18 at 7 p.m., Elmhurst Parents for Integrity in Curriculum (EPIC) is hosting a Symposium on Social-Emotional Learning at the Diplomat West.
On Thursday, March 24, an email was sent to parents titled, Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Survey, Spring 2022, announcing that all Elmhurst public school children, grades 3-12, would be surveyed between the date of April 25 and May 6.
District 205 explained it would be utilizing Panorama Education to conduct the survey, and that the “framework is evidence-based and helps cultivate skills that advance student learning and development.”
SEL has been presented to parents as a necessary and transformational tool that will thrust their children to greater academic achievement and personal fulfillment. But the evidence to back these claims is weak and unpersuasive, according to EPIC, and there are concerns regarding SEL data collection and student privacy.
Elmhurst Parents for Integrity in Curriculum (EPIC) is hosting an SEL Symposium to inform and educate parents because EPIC believes transparency and clarity around curriculum are important. EPIC further believes SEL is nebulous and that many parents do not understand exactly what it is, why it’s being taught, and if it makes sense to divert precious classroom time away from academics to teach it. This is an opportunity to learn.
Jennifer McWilliams, founder of Jennifer McWilliams Consulting, will be the keynote speaker for the event. She is a nationally recognized Social-Emotional Learning expert and consultant.
The Diplomat West is located at 681 W. North Avenue. A $20 donation is suggested. RSVP to [email protected].
More about Jennifer McWilliams
In 2019, Jennifer was working as a “Reading Intervention Instructor” when she became very concerned about the education transformation unfolding at her school and across our nation. As she began to research what was causing the shift in focus from academics to ideology, she learned about the driving force behind the change: Social Emotional Learning (SEL).
In September 2019, she started an organization to inform parents and citizens about the concerning changes in the education system. Today, Jennifer travels around the country educating parents about SEL. For more information, visit jennifermcwilliamsconsulting.com.
