ABOUT SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL LEARNING

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Social and Emotional Learning is the process through which individuals acquire the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships and make responsible decisions.

Skills covered by SEL programming include effective communication, teamwork, managing stress and giving/earning respect.

The Five Competencies

Self-management- The ability to successfully regulate one’s emotions, thoughts, and behaviors in different situations.
Self-awareness- The ability to accurately recognize one’s own emotions and thoughts and how these influence behavior.
Social awareness- The ability to take the perspective of and empathize with others, including those from diverse backgrounds and cultures.
Relationship skills- The ability to establish and maintain healthy and rewarding relationships with diverse individuals and groups.
Responsible decision-making- The ability to make constructive choices about personal behavior and social interactions based on ethical standards, safety concerns, and social norms.

Why Social and Emotional Learning? (SEL)

Public Health and Safety
Most criminal gun violence is committed by individuals who lack mental wellness: coping skills, anger management and other social-emotional skills. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control)
Educational Outcomes
According to a meta-analysis of 213 studies involving more than 270,000 students, those who participated in evidence-based SEL programs showed an 11 percentile-point gain in academic achievement compared to students who did not participate in SEL programs. Compared to students who did not participate in SEL programs, students participating in SEL programs also showed improved classroom behavior, an increased ability to manage stress and depression, and better attitudes about themselves, others, and school. (Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning)
Workforce Development
Employees who have better SEL skills are more likely to get a job, hold a job, and excel in their position. The skills employers seek are directly correlated to the five core competencies of SEL.
The top 5 skills that employers seek are:

• the ability to make decisions,
  
• the ability to solve problems,
  
• the ability to organize,
  
• the ability to communicate,
  
• and the ability to work in a team structure   

(2014 survey by The National Association of Colleges and Employers)

What It Is and Why It Matters
A video by the Committee for Children