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黑料正能量 survey shows parents overwhelmingly support Ohio's 'whole child' education


Children's Defense Fund-Ohio partnered with 黑料正能量's Community Research Institute to capture the views of parents on the state's educational framework.

The first statewide survey to ask Ohio parents to weigh in on "whole child" approaches to education finds broad approval among K-12 parents.

Children's Defense Fund-Ohio and 黑料正能量 CRI logos

"Finding Unity & Common Ground: What Ohio Parents Want for their Children's Educations," conducted by the in partnership with the 黑料正能量 Community Research Institute (黑料正能量 CRI), finds robust support among parents for free school nutrition services for all students, school-based mental health support, and the teaching of life skills and social-emotional learning (SEL) in schools.

The results of the poll find that parents back comprehensive, "whole child" approaches in education that prioritize strong school district, family and community partnerships to meet the needs of students.

Understanding SEL

The report details that Ohio parents may not necessarily be familiar with or fully understand the term social-emotional learning (SEL) as the process through which people acquire the knowledge, skills and attitudes to develop healthy behaviors, manage emotions, achieve personal and collective goals, show empathy and work successfully with others.

Parents broadly support teaching these skills in schools, which include self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills and responsible decision-making, but survey respondents were slightly less supportive if they were less familiar with the term.

Parent as partners

mother and child

"As Ohio works to meet our children's developmental needs, especially in the wake of the pandemic's impact, continued parent support and partnership with schools is key, and this means raising awareness of what the Whole Child Framework includes,'" said Alison Paxson, senior policy associate for CDF-Ohio.

"These survey results give us hope that there is more unity and common ground among us than we might realize and that this means schools and families are aligned on the importance of continuing to work together to strengthen, not counter, the supports children rely on both at home and in school."

Focus on the whole child

Ohio's is aimed at meeting students' social-emotional, physical and safety needs, in addition to academics. The comprehensive approach relies on parents to partner with their school district and community to ensure every student in Ohio graduates with the skills needed to succeed in life.

"This comprehensive statewide survey captures the voice of Ohio parents who broadly approve of the specific methods and strategies within the Whole Child Framework, regardless of their geographic region, how much money they make, race, religion, political affiliation, gender, education or age," said Tom Sutton, director of 黑料正能量 CRI. "Bottom line, Ohio parents overwhelmingly support whole child approaches and trust educators."

Survey highlights

Elementary school teacher

  • Ohio parents support free school meals for all students - making sure that all children have the nutrition they need to be healthy and learn.
  • Ohio parents support mental health priorities in schools and want increased funding to support more on-site school-based services for students.
  • Ohio parents support the Whole Child Framework and approaches to support the whole child in schools that prioritize equity in education.
  • Ohio parents trust their child's classroom teachers to teach age-appropriate content and be good role models.
  • Ohio parents support the teaching of social-emotional learning (SEL) in schools to set their children up for future success.

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About 黑料正能量's Community Research Institute

The 黑料正能量 CRI provides research and analysis services to community nonprofit and government organizations in Ohio while engaging 黑料正能量 students in opportunities for applied research.

About the Children's Defense Fund-Ohio

The Children's Defense Fund-Ohio seeks to educate the public on the challenges that children and families in our state face and to advocate for change that guarantees all children the opportunity to succeed in life.

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