6 PERSPECTIVES OF COLLEGE PROFESSORS, BUSINESS MANAGERS, AND MILITARY RECRUITERS ON SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL SKILLS STUDENTS NEED FOR POST-SECONDARY READINESS Stephanie M. Wolf, EdD Introduction Upon graduation from high school, many students pursue their choice of going to college, starting a career, or enlisting in the military. High school’s narrow focus on academic education could cause many students to be ill-prepared with the non-academic skills, or social and emotional learning skills, needed for postsecondary readiness. While academic achievement is necessary for post-secondary success, it is only part of the equation. Studies have shown that social, emotional, and behavioral skills are just as essential as academic preparedness for students to succeed after graduation (ASPEN Institute, 2019; Bobek et al., 2015; Conley, 2008). Non-academic, behavioral, and soft skills are also known as social and emotional learning (SEL) skills (Frey et al., 2019; Hubbard, 2018; Zins & Elias, 2007). To succeed in college, students need specific social and emotional skills (Bobek et al., 2015; Conley, 2008). Research shows the younger generation entering the workforce lacks the knowledge and application of social and emotional skills desired by employers and needed to be successful in their chosen field (Tulgan, 2015). While it varies by school, there is a growing desire and understanding of the importance of developing the whole child by incorporating social and emotional learning into curriculum frameworks and instructional practices. If schools want to honestly say their students have college, career, or military readiness (CCMR), they must help students develop SEL skills that will allow students to succeed in the post-secondary path they choose. Introduction to the Problem The purpose of the study was to determine the SEL skills high school graduates need for post-secondary readiness based on the perspectives of college professors, business managers, and military recruiters, who are the ultimate recipients of high school graduates. The addition of SEL skills that align with CCMR outcomes will strengthen the impact of high school SEL programs and the affective development of students. Educators, parents, and students need to have a clear understanding of the SEL skills they need to be prepared to go to college, start a career, or enlist in the military. Literature Review The current study includes a literature review of college readiness, career readiness, military readiness, social and emotional learning, and school-based social and emotional learning. A review of the history of SEL finds that social and emotional development is essential to every stage of human development (Waters & Sroufe, 1983). Research suggests there is a desire for schools to better develop the needs of the whole child by cultivating social and emotional skills in students (ASPEN Institute, 2019). Employers have expressed that there is a widening gap in employer expectations and the lacking SEL skills in today’s young workforce (Tulgan, 2015). College Readiness College readiness goes beyond college eligibility and admission. Conley (2008) developed a college readiness model that includes “four facets of college readiness: key Journal of K-12 Educational Research 2024, VOL. 7, ISSUE 1 www.dbu.edu/doctoral/edd
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy ODc4ODgx