The majority of students, teachers, and families agree: Social and emotional learning (SEL) belongs in schools. But growing demand has also created growing confusion about what SEL is and why it’s essential to every child’s education. Fortunately, decades of research and implementation make a clear case for SEL:
- Social and emotional learning builds lifelong, future-ready skills.
- Social and emotional learning is urgently needed now to support the well-being of all children and adults.
- Social and emotional learning improves academic achievement.
- Parents overwhelmingly support social and emotional learning.
We can’t let politics drown out our voices and get in the way of our children’s education and future.
Take ActionSELebrate the Facts
Back to topWhat does “social and emotional learning” really mean? Use these materials to clear up the confusion and align your community around a clear, strengths-based definition.
Video: What is Social and Emotional Learning?
Educators, students, parents, and community leaders joined CASEL to answer: what is social and emotional learning and why is it essential? (3 mins, 23 secs)
Video: What are the core competencies and key settings?
The animated video overviews CASEL’s framework, known to many as the “CASEL wheel”. (4 mins, 51 secs)
Five facts: What does social and emotional learning really mean?
Ask a few people to define SEL, and you’re likely to hear different responses. Here are five facts to help your community align around a clear understanding of SEL.
Webpage: What Does the Research Say?
The benefits of SEL are well-researched, with evidence demonstrating that an education that promotes SEL yields positive results for students, adults, and school communities.
SELebrate by Taking Action
Back to topUse evidence and clear communications to stop the political attacks on SEL and children’s education. Download and engage with free, quality resources to sift out the misinformation and champion what’s best for students.
- Take action. Learn more about the “Leading with SEL” campaign and actions you can take to support the social and emotional learning of every child. Visit the website.
- Customize a presentation. Designed powerpoint slides that you can adapt to meet your communities needs. View the powerpoint
- Implement SEL in your district. Use CASEL’s District Resource Center (DRC) to find research, knowledge, and resources curated from school systems across the U.S. to support high-quality, systemic implementation of SEL. Visit the website.
- Implement SEL in your school. Use the CASEL Guide to Schoolwide Social and Emotional Learning to help students excel academically, build stronger relationships, and lead happier, healthier, more fulfilling lives. Visit the website.
- Select an evidence-based program. The CASEL Program Guide is designed to help educators and school administrators select an evidence-based SEL program that best meets the needs of their community. Visit the website.
SELebrate Supportive Voices
Back to topWhy do teachers, principals, parents, and students agree that SEL is essential? Hear from a diverse collective of SEL champions that believe in the power of SEL.
Real Stories, Real Families
Why do parents and caregivers support SEL for their children? We partnered with families across the country to answer that question. Have a listen as seven caregivers share why they believe in an education that prioritizes SEL.