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District staff removes CASEL references and proposes 'character education' framing for SEAL
Summary
Staff told the committee they removed references to CASEL's 'transformative' language from local materials, arguing concerns about language related to identity and justice; the board heard that NCDPI guidance still references CASEL and that any state documents must remain unchanged.
Mr. Cole presented a proposal to reframe Brunswick County Schools’ language on social‑emotional learning by removing explicit references to the CASEL (Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning) framework in locally controlled documents and to emphasize 'character education' as the district’s preferred terminology.
Cole said NCDPI adopted CASEL as a recommended framework but that the district is not required to use CASEL verbatim. He said concerns arose after CASEL added 'transformative' language calling for attention to 'identity' and 'justice,' and he described those additions as crossing a line the district prefers not to adopt in its local materials. As a result, he directed staff to remove CASEL references from district documents, retaining curriculum that teaches the five core competencies (self‑awareness, self‑management, social awareness, relationship skills, responsible decision‑making) but avoiding the newer transformative language.
Cole reported raising the concern with the NCDPI regional consultant and contacting State Board of Education member Olivia Oxendine for review; he has not yet received a formal response. Board members expressed mixed views: several supported the clearer, family‑facing language and the emphasis on character development, while others emphasized that state guidance and legal requirements remain unchanged and asked staff to make distinctions between recommended frameworks and required standards.
Staff stressed the district will continue teaching social and emotional competencies but wants local documents to use language aligned with community expectations. No policy vote occurred in committee; the item will be processed through the policy committee for final placement on a consent or second‑read agenda.
