One main concern is reference
bias, or the effect of survey respondents» reference points on their answers.37 Students, for example, attending competitive
schools often rate themselves as having less self - control or as less hardworking because of their
schools» rigorous expectations.38 Accordingly, some experts caution that using SEL to classify
schools could ultimately punish high - performing
schools while
rewarding low - performing
schools.39 Additionally, teachers may misinterpret behavior, erroneously rely on first impressions, or incorrectly equate their opinion of a student with the student's social - emotional skills.40