Social-emotional learning (SEL) has become a nationwide debate in recent months. SEL is the process of developing the self-awareness, self-control, and interpersonal skills that are vital for school, work, and life success, according to a description from the Committee for Children. The group argues that "people with strong social-emotional skills are better able to cope with everyday challenges and benefit academically, professionally, and socially." Critics hit the Virginia Department of Education for releasing draft social and emotional learning standards that include statements that students could presumably make about themselves at certain grade levels. Many of them cover things like "bias" or identities in ways that reflect rhetoric in controversial diversity trainings. One read: "I can understand that all my group identities and the intersection of those identities create unique aspects of who I am and influence my decisions."