SEL Gaining Substantial Traction in K–12
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:
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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%);
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91% indicated they believe it will help improve grades; and
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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.