Every child deserves to feel safe, supported, and valued at school so they can focus on learning.
Social and emotional learning is an evidence-based, nonpartisan part of high-quality education that supports student success and positive school climate. A large body of research demonstrates that schools that implement social and emotional learning report higher academic achievement, lower rates of bullying, improved student well-being, and stronger connections between students and adults. CASEL encourages schools, families, and communities to work together to decide how best to implement social and emotional learning based on the priorities of their local schools and communities.
On Saturday, March 1, the U.S. Department of Education’s (ED) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) issued an FAQ following the office’s publication of a Dear Colleague Letter challenging schools’ and postsecondary institutions’ strategies for promoting diverse and equitable learning environments. Unfortunately, the OCR letter and FAQ appear designed to prevent schools from implementing many evidence-based strategies for supporting academic learning within safe and inclusive school environments. The FAQ misrepresents social and emotional learning, while threatening civil rights investigations and federal funding loss for districts and states that implement programs and practices that OCR falsely characterizes as “discriminatory.” Legal challenges have been brought against both the OCR letter and the FAQ.
At a time when schools are working to improve student achievement, prevent bullying, strengthen safety, build character, and support student well-being, OCR’s FAQ is counterproductive, inaccurate, and deeply harmful to students and families. Creating confusion about social and emotional learning could prevent schools from implementing practices widely supported by parents that make learning environments safer and more productive for students.
This unprecedented effort to limit what students learn in schools and override state and local authority over curriculum undermines the ability of educators to support their students and runs counter to decades of bipartisan legislative support, the voices of the majority of parents in the nation, the past record of OCR guidance, and scientific evidence. CASEL stands in partnership and support of educators, education leaders, and families across the country who are working every day to ensure students have the essential social and emotional skills they need to succeed in school and life.
Quick Facts About Social and Emotional Learning
Back to topWhat is social and emotional learning, and what does it look like in schools?
✅ Fact: Grounded in extensive research, social and emotional learning helps students develop the skills to manage emotions, form healthy relationships, and resolve conflicts constructively—essential tools they need to succeed in school and life.
In schools, social and emotional learning may include dedicated time set aside to learn important life skills like goal-setting and perspective-taking, as well as opportunities to build positive relationships and collaborate during academic subjects. Through social and emotional learning, teachers, school staff, parents, and other adults work together to make sure the classroom and school environment supports student learning.
What does social and emotional learning teach, and who determines what is taught?
✅ Fact: Social and emotional learning teaches knowledge, skills, and attitudes that support college, career, and life success. Social and emotional learning is a collaborative effort between schools, families, and communities.
Social and emotional learning focuses on teaching five core competencies: Self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making. These competencies support academic success, goal achievement, and career readiness, making social and emotional learning valuable for personal and professional growth. Employers increasingly seek employees with strong social and emotional competencies, such as communication, cooperation, and effective decision-making.
Social and emotional learning does not promote any specific ideology, religion, or set of values. Instead, social and emotional learning emphasizes universal skills and qualities—such as empathy, cooperation, and respect—that are essential for creating engaging and productive classrooms and communities. Social and emotional learning also helps young people and adults to better understand and express their views, listen to and empathize with others who have different viewpoints and experiences, and talk through disagreements and conflict. These are skills that prepare students to navigate a diverse world and to appreciate different perspectives. CASEL’s framework is intentionally flexible, encouraging local schools and districts to align social and emotional learning with their community values, priorities, and goals.
What’s the relationship between social and emotional learning and academics?
✅ Fact: Social and emotional learning enhances academic success by helping students focus and stay motivated, creating more engaging and productive classrooms.
Research shows social and emotional learning contributes significantly to academic performance and readiness. Hundreds of studies involving more than 1 million students worldwide across PreK-12 showed that social and emotional learning has a positive impact on students’ achievement, and a 2017 study found that students who participated in social and emotional learning showed an average academic gain of 13 percentile points years later. Students participating in social and emotional learning programs also showed improved classroom behavior and better attitudes about themselves, others, and school.
Social and emotional learning develops skills needed for academic success, such as demonstrating curiosity, managing stress, and persevering through challenging content. Brain science supports this connection, as social, emotional, and cognitive skills are deeply intertwined, leading to more effective learning and longer-term academic achievement. Based on this science, many schools integrate social and emotional learning directly into existing lessons, finding that it supports learning in subjects like math, science, language arts, and social studies.
What does the research and data say about the impact of social and emotional learning on school environments?
✅ Fact: Social and emotional learning enhances academic success by helping students focus and stay motivated, creating more engaging and productive classrooms.
A large research base finds that social and emotional learning improves school climate and sense of safety, and helps reduce bullying and peer conflict, creating more inclusive learning environments. At a time when 19 percent (9.4 million) students are chronically absent, evidence-based strategies including social and emotional learning are essential to re-engage students and accelerate learning.
Find more information about social and emotional learning on casel.org.
