Why “Do” SEL If It Doesn’t Improve Student Behavior in the Classroom and Across the School (Volume 1, Episode 1)

Angela and Davey analyze and discuss Dr. Howie Knoff's January 28, 2023 blog post which critiques the ineffectiveness of widely adopted school programs like PBIS and SEL. Dr. Howie argues that these programs often lack rigorous research support, produce inconsistent results, and are marketed more effectively than they actually work. 

Your Hosts discuss and describe Dr. Howie's advocacy for a direct, evidence-based approach that focuses on teaching specific, observable social and emotional skills. This approach emphasizes practical skill-building, consistent positive reinforcement, and multi-tiered support systems tailored to student needs. 

The discussion details practical social skills to teach and provides a five-step instructional model based on social learning theory. Finally, it highlights essential school conditions for successful implementation, such as staff training and buy-in.