Classes in character do little to narrow gap in pupil outcomes, says study

Teaching character, grit and resilience in schools is valuable to children but is unlikely to play a major part in eradicating the attainment gap between disadvantaged pupils and their wealthier peers, according to research. In recent years, policymakers in England and elsewhere in the world have focused on social and emotional learning, and the importance of developing character, determination and self-belief as a way of improving learning, particularly among children from lower income backgrounds. A study by academics from the universities of Cambridge, Zürich and Tübingen, however, has found that the relative underperformance of disadvantaged pupils has little to do with them lacking the character, attitude or mindset of their wealthier peers. Read more.