Social and Emotional Learning

SEL Gaining Substantial Traction in K–12

• By David Nagel
• 09/30/21

Social and emotional learning are making strides in K–12. According to a new study, more educators are aware of SEL and believe in its value for student academic success and wellbeing and see it as a tool that can be or has been helpful in transitioning back to in-person instruction.

The 2021 Social and Emotional Learning Report, from education publisher McGraw Hill, which was a follow-up to a study on SEL published in 2018, found that teachers are more aware now than they were in 2018 about their districts' plans for implementing SEL (91% compared with 77%). More than half of educators (56%) say their districts or schools have begin implementing SEL. And among administrators, more than double said they are implementing a standalone SEL program in their schools or districts (34% this year compared with 16% in 2018).

Educators are also very confident in the positive effects of SEL. According to the report:

• 96% of educators reported they believe SEL will help reduce behavioral problems, notably bullying, (95%), disengagement (94%), safety-related issues (93%), poor relationships with teachers (91%) and the negative effects of transitioning from remote to in-person instruction (91%);

• 91% indicated they believe it will help improve grades; and

• 95% said it will help reduce emotional distress.

Parents also appear to be largely onboard with SEL. According to the report, 87% of parents say SEL is "important in helping children navigate today's world."

The complete report is freely available at mheducation.com.