Benefits of SEL

Schools that create socially and emotionally sound learning and working environments, and that help students and staff develop greater social and emotional competence, in turn help ensure positive short- and long-term academic and personal outcomes for students, and higher levels of teaching and work satisfaction for staff.

SEL improves students’ positive behavior and reduces negative behavior.

It promotes young people’s academic success, health, and well-being at the same time that it prevents a variety of problems such as alcohol and drug use, violence, truancy, and bullying.

A large body of scientific research has determined that effective SEL in schools significantly improves students’:

• Social-emotional skills
• Attitudes about self and others
• Social interactions

It also decreases their levels of emotional distress and conduct problems.

SEL is also associated with significant improvements in students’ academic performance and attitudes toward school.

A landmark review found that students who receive SEL instruction had more positive attitudes about school and improved an average of 11 percentile points on standardized achievement tests compared to students who did not receive such instruction.

SEL prepares young people for success in adulthood.

SEL helps students become good communicators, cooperative members of a team, effective leaders, and caring, concerned members of their communities. It teaches them how to set and achieve goals and how to persist in the face of challenges. These are precisely the skills that today’s employers consider important for the workforce of the future.