SEL and Academics
The STEPS TO RESPECT program supports academics in two ways:
- Lessons align with academic content standards and character education principles.
- Social and emotional learning (SEL), the basis of the skills taught in the program, supports academics.
See below for alignment charts and to learn more about SEL and academics.
Alignment Charts
- STEPS TO RESPECT Academic Alignment Chart (PDF)
- Character Education and the STEPS TO RESPECT Program
(Note: This PDF is best viewed if printed on ledger-sized paper. Contact us if you'd like a copy mailed to you.)
CASEL Makes the Case: SEL Improves Academic Performance
Some educators worry that teaching our SEL programs will take time away from academics. The latest research can help put that fear to rest.
CASEL, the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning, recently published a meta-analysis that includes the findings of the largest, most scientifically rigorous review of research ever done on school-based intervention programs (Durlak, Weissberg, Taylor, & Dymnicki, in preparation). The findings are rich, but one result really stands out:
Those same students also attained higher grades while improving:
- Classroom behavior
- Feelings about themselves
- Handling of emotional problems
- Social and emotional skills
Teaching the STEPS TO RESPECT program isn't only about changing behaviors—it's about helping your students reach their highest potential. Read Social and Emotional Learning and Bullying Prevention (CASEL) and The Positive Impact of SEL for Kingergarten to Eighth-Grade Students (CASEL) to learn more.
References
Durlak, J. A., Weissberg, R. P., Taylor, R. D., & Dymnicki, A. B. (in preparation). The effects of school-based social and emotional learning: A meta-analytical review. Chicago: CASEL.
Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (2008). Social and emotional learning and student benefits: Implications for the Safe Schools/Healthy Students core elements. Washington, DC: National Center for Mental Health Promotion and Youth Violence Prevention, Education Development Center.
