NASHVILLE, TN (WSMV) -
Metro Schools are taking a new approach to minimize behavior problems in the classroom - they are implementing social and emotional learning.
While it might not sound like it would impact academics, it does.
"An education that just deals with academics alone is really not an education at all," said Metro Schools' Linda DePriest. "We have to look at what's called the other side of the report card and those are the skills a person needs in the 21st century."
Metro Schools has developed a curriculum to help deal with those "other side of the report card issues" - the skills many students need to become protective adults.
"Understanding how to take criticism, understanding how to admit when one is right or wrong and how to settle conflict in the workplace," explained DePriest about the skills needed.
Often classroom disruptions aren't caused by academics, but by outside issues. For instance, an altercation on the playground can spill over into valued classroom instruction time.
The idea is, if students can avoid these issues or learn how to manage them, it will reduce the distraction in the classroom.
The lesson starts every day with a morning meeting, a way for students to have positive interactions with their peers and teachers.
"What we are doing now is planning for an evidence-based curriculum for our elementary students to be used by their teachers so kids will be able to start their day in a very positive way," said DePriest.
The ultimate goal goes beyond the classroom. It's about giving kids the lifelong skills to become successful adults.
Research shows social and emotional learning improves standardized test scores by an average of 11 points.
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