In addition to academics, what other aspect of student development should educators focus on?

Focusing on social-emotional learning is essential for a well-rounded approach to student development. This aspect involves helping students understand and manage their emotions, develop empathy, build positive relationships, and make responsible decisions. By prioritizing social-emotional learning, educators create an environment that supports not only academic achievement but also a student's overall well-being. This holistic approach is particularly important, as research has shown that students with strong social-emotional skills tend to perform better academically and have improved mental health.

In contrast, while extracurricular activities and physical health are important, they are subsets of broader development goals and do not encompass the full range of emotional and social competencies that social-emotional learning addresses. Standardized test preparation may focus intensely on academics without fostering the personal growth necessary for students to succeed both inside and outside of school. Thus, social-emotional learning stands out as the most comprehensive approach to fostering student development beyond academics.