Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Explained
Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) connects students’ hearts and minds.
SEL emerged in the 1990s, evolving from the collaborative work of researchers, educators, and advocates. This initiative was driven by the recognition of the need to address not only academic competencies, but also the emotional, psychological, and social wellbeing of children.
Today, SEL is understood as the process through which children learn to understand and manage their emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions.
The Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning (CASEL) is at the forefront of the SEL movement. Advocating for the integration of evidence-based SEL from preschool to high school, CASEL highlights five core competencies critical for developing students' interpersonal and intrapersonal skills. Effective implementation of these competencies begins in the classroom, with SEL woven into daily interactions and the curriculum. The approach extends to shaping the entire school culture, ensuring SEL principles are consistently practised across all levels. Beyond the classroom, systematic SEL includes family and community engagement, supported by local, state, and federal government initiatives, to enhance its effectiveness and long-term sustainability.
Integrating SEL into a Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) framework enhances its comprehensiveness.
1. Universal Support (Tier 1): SEL is embedded in the core curriculum and through explicit classroom instruction. Tier 1 is accessible to all students, promoting general social-emotional competence.
2. Targeted Support (Tier 2): For students requiring additional support, targeted interventions in small groups are implemented—focusing on specific skills or addressing particular social-emotional challenges.
3. Intensive Support (Tier 3): Individualised SEL support is given to students with significant social-emotional challenges, often involving collaboration with external specialists.
The tiered approach ensures that SEL meets the diverse needs of all students, providing a continuum of support from universal to individualised interventions.
What are the outcomes of high-quality, evidence-based SEL?
SEL is a critical component of education with benefits extending beyond the classroom. Five large meta-analyses highlight the short- and long-term outcomes of SEL.
· Immediate gains include enhanced social-emotional skills, improved academic performance, strengthened peer and student-teacher relationships, and healthier, more connected school environments.
· Lasting impacts include increased high school graduate rates, greater likelihood of pursuing higher education, improved mental health, healthier relationships, and reduction in negative behaviours, such as criminal activity and substance abuse.
Written by Melissa Close, originally published on the QUT Centre for Inclusive Education’s website.