A growing body of research suggests that social and emotional learning (SEL) is fundamental to students’ success in school and beyond. SEL is the process by which we develop the ability to recognize and manage emotions, form positive relationships with others, solve problems, motivate ourselves to accomplish a goal, make responsible decisions, and avoid risky behavior. There is promising evidence, primarily at the elementary-school level, linking social and emotional skills training with improved academic outcomes and reduced anti-social behavior (DiPerna & Elliot, 1999; Feshbach & Feshbach, 1987; Haynes, Ben-Avie, & Ensign, 2003; Hawkins, Farrington, & Catalano, 1998).

School-Connect focuses on the five social and emotional competency areas identified by the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) as critical to young people’s success in school, the workplace, and life in general. See side box and click here for the full version of the SEL Competency Areas developed by CASEL.

CASEL staff served as advisors during the development of School-Connect and assessed the curriculum using an instrument designed to measure coverage of the competency areas. The curriculum received the highest score (Program Strength) in four out of five competency areas. Subsequently, School-Connect authors added lessons on negotiation skills to strengthen the remaining competency area. CASEL previously used this instrument to assess over 250 youth development programs in a landmark national study on evidence-based social and emotional learning (CASEL, 2003).