LINCOLN- Nebraska lawmakers are set to come back for their first interim study since the end of the most recent legislative session two months ago this upcoming Monday. On the agenda: social-emotional learning. The Education Committee will consider three interim studies introduced by Sen. Dave Murman, the committee's chairman, looking at issues relating to parental involvement in education, the Department of Education's use of Covid-19 relief funds, and social-emotional learning in K-12 schools.

Following years of backlash against critical race theory and comprehensive sex education, Monday's hearing may feature a new concept for many in the form of social-emotional learning, which, according to the Nebraska Department of Education, is the process for children and adults to "understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships and make responsible decisions." Murman claimed that the concept has become a "buzzword," and seeks to consider its role in comparison to the "basics," like reading, writing, and math.

Monday's hearing will feature testimony from eight speakers, but will not be open to public comment. This move has prompted Sens. Machaela and John Cavanaugh, Terrell McKinney, Carol Blood, and Megan Hunt to hold a separate public forum with the intention of allowing public comment on the issue of social-emotional learning following the committee's hearing.

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