2021 Social and Emotional Learning Year in Review

At CASEL, we are inspired by the hundreds of thousands of social and emotional learning (SEL) champions around the world who have been working tirelessly to support their communities. Despite significant challenges in 2021, passionate educators, researchers, parents, and policy leaders recognized the role SEL can and should play in bringing about lasting positive change in our classrooms. As we start a new year, we reflect on the SEL headlines of 2021 and join you in making SEL an essential part of education for all students in 2022 and beyond.

An Unprecedented Infusion: The American Rescue Plan and Funding for SEL

The $123 billion infusion to K-12 American education created a critical opportunity for districts and states to invest in long-term structures for SEL. Plans for high-priority investments are helping to optimize resources for SEL and mental wellness, address prevalent trauma, and strengthen relationship-centered teaching and learning. Preliminary review of state ARP plans show that more than 80% of plans include SEL and half of those explicitly mention CASEL.

Download our policy brief on three SEL investments to make with American Rescue Plan Dollars.

Listening to Families: Parents and Caregivers as Critical SEL Partners

With ongoing shifts from remote learning to in-person and vice versa, parent and caregiver involvement in education continued to grow. Two 2021 surveys reported: Parental advocacy of SEL grew to 87 percent and parents agreed that schools should be teaching social and emotional skills. The past year emphasized the importance of strong connections between schools and families, to promote SEL.

Explore an overview of SEL and leadership skills for parents and caregivers.

A Public Health Issue: The Social, Emotional, and Mental Health of Young People

Students continue to cope with the impact of missed school days, experiences of illness and loss, increased stress, and reduced social interactions. In an advisory on youth mental health, the US Surgeon General called for a priority on SEL to promote healthy development. By developing caring relationships, responsive environments, and social and emotional skills, SEL will be key to supporting mental wellness and accelerating academic learning.

Download the SEL Roadmap for strategies on supporting student learning and development. 

Supporting the Adults: Systems that Promote Educator Wellbeing 

A focus on adult wellness became a critical part of the conversation on healthy schools. As teacher burnout and demoralization continues to rise, education leaders are paying closer attention to adult SEL and well-being. This past year demonstrated that educator wellness requires supportive work environments where adults feel valued, connected, and heard. It’s never about one individual – we need a system-wide approach to SEL to create the conditions for educator wellbeing.

Watch our webinar on SEL and teacher wellbeing.

Equity in Education: Social and Emotional Learning as a Lever

As educators reflected on disparities in learning experiences and academic gains last year, equity remained top-of-mind. Many districts began integrating SEL with equity efforts to create more inclusive learning environments, help teachers better attune to all students’ strengths and needs, and develop skills to collaborate on equitable solutions. Our research-practice partnerships are helping to test and refine strategies and policies for effectively integrating SEL and equity work.

Read our article on Transformative SEL as we continue to test and refine strategies pursuit of equity and excellence.

Building Synergies and Connections: SEL and Civic Engagement

This past year raised questions around what it means to participate as engaged, responsible, and caring members of a community. As civic engagement took the spotlight, more opportunities for integrating SEL with civic learning emerged. With that integration, students can develop the skills and relationships to participate as caring and engaged members of their local community and the broader society. More than 2,400 global participants came together this year to explore that very topic, highlighting the gaps in current research that warrant further investigation and elevating opportunities to deepen our work to advance this effort.

Purchase on-demand access to sessions from CASEL’s SEL Exchange on SEL and civic learning.

Greater Demand: Increased Need for SEL Champions

In 2021, media coverage and demand for SEL grew as more SEL champions committed to making SEL a priority in their communities. That surge of support also brought on greater scrutiny as misinformation and confusion on SEL emerged. SEL remains driven by what the research says, what families want, and what is best for children – not by politics on any side. By continuing to build our coalition for SEL, we ensure that students do not lose out on an education that will help them succeed in school and in life.

Download resources and guidance for communicating about SEL with your community.