Book Reviews
Building Academic Success on Social and Emotional Learning: What Does the Research Say?
by Joseph E. Zins, Roger P. Weissberg, Margaret C. Wang, and Herbert J. Walberg (Editors)
Reading level: Adult
Research clearly demonstrates that students' academic achievement is highly influenced by their social and emotional competence. Building Academic Success on Social and Emotional Learning: What Does the Research Say? is a concise compilation of current theories and effective practices for promoting social, emotional, and academic learning. School administrators, counselors, teachers, and university instructors will find this book a useful guide that includes:
- A clear definition of social and emotional competence and the processes of social and emotional learning.
- Contributions from leading researchers highlighting critical social and emotional requirements for achieving academic success.
- An overview of the research findings that support addressing social and emotional development as an important foundation for school success.
- Specific examples of proven-effective strategies and programs that promote social and emotional competence and their connection to academic success.
The book concludes with a useful summary of findings that gives an overview of the connections between social and emotional competencies and academic success:
- Safe, caring, and orderly environments support learning.
- Socially engaging teaching strategies, such as cooperative learning and proactive classroom management, focus students on learning tasks.
- When students are self-aware and more confident about their learning abilities, they try harder.
- When students can self-manage their stress and motivations and set goals and organize themselves, they do better.
- When drug use or antisocial behaviors are reduced through social and emotional education, academic learning is enhanced.
Sheryl Harmer, Ed.D.
Director of Program Development
Committee for Children
