Skip to page content

Social and Emotional Learning

Featured

Report

Teacher and Principal Perspectives on Social and Emotional Learning

May 30, 2019

In recent years, the availability of resources to address the concept of social and emotional learning (SEL) has expanded in U.S. schools. What are educators' opinions of SEL? And what SEL-related programs, practices, and assessments are they implementing?
Essay

Social and Emotional Learning Prepares Students for Life

Aug 27, 2018

The goal of social and emotional learning is to give students the skills they need to work in teams, communicate their ideas, and manage their emotions. Research can help educators determine which programs work and which ones qualify for federal funding under the Every Student Succeeds Act.

Explore Social and Emotional Learning

Blog

The Syria Withdrawal, Climate Policy, Drones: RAND Weekly Recap

This weekly recap focuses on the effects of the U.S. withdrawal from Syria, one expert's take on climate policy, how drones could help get blood to soldiers who need it, and more.

Oct 25, 2019
Commentary

Restorative Justice Isn't a Panacea, but It Can Promote Better Relationships Among Students

Restorative practices aren't necessarily a cure-all. But if implemented well, they can contribute to an overall solution. Teaching children to treat one another with respect has the potential to make schools safer and to help kids get along better throughout their lives.

Oct 21, 2019
Report

Teachers Find Value in National Educator Survey Data

More than 80 percent of teachers reported that their peers' responses to surveys about topics like social and emotional learning and curriculum would be useful. Those in higher-poverty schools were more likely to report that data on many topics would be useful for improving their instruction.

Oct 10, 2019
Report

Teacher Perspectives on Social and Emotional Learning in Massachusetts

Teachers are largely responsible for implementing social and emotional learning (SEL) programs and policies. How do teachers in Massachusetts feel about the importance of SEL? And what are their opinions on approaches to and support for SEL instruction?

Oct 2, 2019
Brochure

The RAND Center for Social and Emotional Learning Research

This product outlines the programs of the RAND Center for Social and Emotional Learning.

Sep 16, 2019
Commentary

Back to School Means Back to SEL for America's Teachers and Principals

Schools are increasingly adopting programs and practices to build social and emotional learning (SEL) skills. Policymakers can benefit from understanding the educator perspective: how they feel about SEL, what they're doing to promote it, and what resources they need.

Sep 4, 2019
Journal Article

Get Smart About Social and Emotional Learning Measurement

This paper provides guidance to educators and policymakers who are interested in measuring social and emotional learning practices and competencies. It is part of a series of papers on SEL published by the American Enterprise Institute.

Aug 22, 2019
Blog

Theresa May, Emotional Learning, Teachers: RAND Weekly Recap

This weekly recap focuses on Theresa May's resignation, social and emotional learning, the value of a good teacher, and more.

May 31, 2019
Research Brief

Support for Social and Emotional Learning Is Widespread

Most U.S. educators believe that social and emotional learning (SEL) improves student outcomes and school climate. They agree that students should develop and apply skills like managing emotions and setting and achieving positive goals. But teachers tend to assign greater importance to SEL skills than principals.

May 30, 2019
Commentary

What Two New Studies Reveal About Restorative Justice in Middle School

There are many nuances to the implementation and impact of restorative practices. This suggests that continued experimentation could allow school districts to realize the benefits of instituting these practices and reduce the cost of doing so.

Apr 17, 2019
Commentary

How Do You Measure Social and Emotional Learning?

As the desire to improve SEL for all students grows, it is increasingly important to measure its effectiveness. But the field has lacked an organized method of identifying, choosing, and using the best assessments to measure students' competencies. Two newly developed tools can help.

Mar 28, 2019
Commentary

Measuring Social-Emotional Skills, Carefully

In the often-fraught debate over education policy, there is growing agreement that educators should pay close attention to the development of the social and emotional skills that allow students to persevere when working on difficult tasks, regulate emotions, and work effectively in teams. But measuring such skills remains a significant challenge.

Feb 28, 2019
Commentary

Choosing the Right Social and Emotional Learning Programs and Practices

Educators have become increasingly interested in supporting students to cultivate the inter- and intra-personal skills that are developed through the process of social and emotional learning. A new guide developed at RAND is meant to help educators adopt evidenced-based interventions that fit the needs of their students and communities.

Feb 5, 2019
Commentary

The Impact of Restorative Practices

A recent RAND report focuses on estimates of the impact of restorative practices on comprehensive outcome measures for all students. The report defines these measures in seven outcome domains and leads with the impact on suspensions. It estimates the impact on 50 secondary measures and on the seven primary measures for numerous student subgroups defined by race, income, special needs and English language learner status.

Jan 17, 2019
Report

Are Educators Setting Goals for Social-Emotional Learning?

Evidence shows that social and emotional skills predict long-term life outcomes of students. Interventions that improve social and emotional learning (SEL) can also boost academic achievement. Many teachers and principals are setting goals for SEL growth in their schools, but 40 percent of them are not.

Jan 17, 2019
Research Brief

Restorative Practices Help Reduce Student Suspensions

Restorative practices—inclusive and non-punitive ways to respond to conflict and build community—have been successful in reducing student suspensions in the Pittsburgh Public Schools district.

Dec 27, 2018
Report

Report

Can Restorative Practices Improve School Climate and Curb Suspensions? An Evaluation of the Impact of Restorative Practices in a Mid-Sized Urban School District

This study of Pittsburgh Public Schools' implementation of restorative practices represents one of the first randomized controlled trials of the effects of restorative practices on classroom and school climates and suspension rates.

Dec 27, 2018
Report

Investing in Evidence-Based Social and Emotional Learning

It can be challenging for educators to incorporate data into a narrative that informs decisions about what social and emotional learning (SEL) interventions to adopt. An evidence review companion guide can provide support for educators assessing local SEL needs.

Dec 10, 2018
Journal Article

Journal Article

Choosing and Using SEL Competency Assessments: What Schools and Districts Need to Know

This document was developed by the Assessment Work Group (AWG) and researchers from the RAND Corporation's Assessment Finder project to provide guidance on how to choose and use social and emotional learning (SEL) competency assessments.

Dec 4, 2018

1
2
3
Next