“The
process through which people learn to recognize and manage emotions, care about others, make good
decisions,
behave
ethically and responsibly, develop positive relationships,
and avoid
negative behaviors. Such
skills are critical components of the success of all schools.”
Elias, 2007
With SEL, students perform better academically, and the educational community is more nourishing and vital.
Lack of SEL can result in students bringing disruption and anxiety to educational and social encounters, and in teachers being too depleted to model emotional wellness or to inspire.
Schools with an SEL focus
Show misbehavior incidents drop 28%, suspensions drop 44%, and positive student behaviors rise 63%.
Durlak and Weissberg, 2005
Students with SEL skills
Reduce emotional deficits linked to depression, eating
disorders, criminal conduct and substance abuse.
Merrell, 2008; Leon et al. 2005; Hawkins et al.,
2005
Improve academic
performance.
Durlak et
al., 2011; Durlak and Weissberg, 2005
Enhance prospects for college attendance,
employment,
civic participation and life-long health.
Bar-On, 2012; Hawkins et al., 2005; Cohen, 2006
Teachers with SEL skills
Improve teacher-student
relationships, which improves students’ social adjustment and academic
competence.
Jones, Bouffard, Weissbourd, 2013
Model SEL skills for students, and improve classroom organization and management.
Jones, Bouffard, Weissbourd, 2013
Are more likely to display higher job satisfaction.
Brackett, et al., 2010