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posted by: Pamela
| March 03, 2011, 07:39 PM
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Students who participated in a social and emotional learning, or SEL, program improved in standardized-test scores by 11 percentile points according to a study published February in Child Development. The difference is comparable to a student moving from the middle of the class academically to the top 40 percent.
By teaching students skills in self-awareness and self-management, getting along with others, and decision-making, students can improve their foundation for academic instruction. Students who participated in the study demonstrated greater social skills, less emotional distress and better attitudes, fewer conduct problems such as bullying, and more-frequent positive behaviors.
Researchers found SEL programs to be most effective following the SAFE model: “sequenced,” step-by-step instruction; “active” learning, such as role-playing; with sufficient time “focused” on each lesson; and “explicit” learning goals.
SocialSmarts, a SEL program, suggest that social skills training can improve test scores because students who are calmer and more cooperative are less likely to cause behavior issues. A 2003 brief by Public Agenda found teachers reported losing as much as 30 percent of instructional time to deal with behavior issues.
Do you think students would respond to a SEL program in your school?
Comment below.
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