Your browser is out of date! Update your browser to view this website correctly

February 27, 2024

Why SEL is a Must-Have Not a Nice to Have

6 Benefits of Social and Emotional Learning for K-12 School Districts & Students

Social and emotional learning (SEL) plays an important role in student development and is increasingly becoming a top priority for school districts across the United States. SEL not only contributes to academic success but also promotes holistic development, preparing students to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally in school and beyond.

Benefits of Prioritizing SEL

This infographic shares six reasons why SEL is a must-have not a nice to have, and why school districts should prioritize SEL implementation.

Download the 6 Benefits of SEL infographic

Reviewed by Sierra Holtzheuser

Table of Contents

Try these next...

Blog Posts

From Vision to Practice: Implementing the Portrait of a Graduate in New York

Across New York State, districts are prioritizing student-centered learning experiences that emphasize real-world readiness. Adopting the New York State (NYS) Portrait of ...

Blog Posts

Using Digital Portfolios to Build a System of Evidence for Your District’s Portrait of a Graduate

For many school districts around the country, digital portfolios have become the missing piece in taking a Portrait of a Graduate off ...

Blog Posts

What District Leaders Need to See: Making Future-Ready Skills Visible Across Schools

District leaders have defined future-ready skills and Portrait of a Graduate competencies they value. The challenge isn’t defining these outcomes. It’s making ...

1 2 3 … 60 Next »

img:is([sizes=auto i],[sizes^="auto," i]){contain-intrinsic-size:3000px 1500px}:root{--wp-block-synced-color:#7a00df;--wp-block-synced-color--rgb:122,0,223;--wp-bound-block-color:var(--wp-block-synced-color);--wp-editor-canvas-background:#ddd;--wp-admin-theme-color:#007cba;--wp-admin-theme-color--rgb:0,124,186;--wp-admin-theme-color-darker-10:#006ba1;--wp-admin-theme-color-darker-10--rgb:0,107,160.5;--wp-admin-theme-color-darker-20:#005a87;--wp-admin-theme-color-darker-20--rgb:0,90,135;--wp-admin-border-width-focus:2px}@media (min-resolution:192dpi){:root{--wp-admin-border-width-focus:1.5px}}.wp-element-button{cursor:pointer}:root .has-very-light-gray-background-color{background-color:#eee}:root .has-very-dark-gray-background-color{background-color:#313131}:root .has-very-light-gray-color{color:#eee}:root .has-very-dark-gray-color{color:#313131}:root .has-vivid-green-cyan-to-vivid-cyan-blue-gradient-background{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#00d084,#0693e3)}:root .has-purple-crush-gradient-background{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#34e2e4,#4721fb 50%,#ab1dfe)}:root .has-hazy-dawn-gradient-background{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#faaca8,#dad0ec)}:root .has-subdued-olive-gradient-background{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#fafae1,#67a671)}:root .has-atomic-cream-gradient-background{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#fdd79a,#004a59)}:root .has-nightshade-gradient-background{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#330968,#31cdcf)}:root .has-midnight-gradient-background{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#020381,#2874fc)}:root{--wp--preset--font-size--normal:16px;--wp--preset--font-size--huge:42px}.has-regular-font-size{font-size:1em}.has-larger-font-size{font-size:2.625em}.has-normal-font-size{font-size:var(--wp--preset--font-size--normal)}.has-huge-font-size{font-size:var(--wp--preset--font-size--huge)}.has-text-align-center{text-align:center}.has-text-align-left{text-align:left}.has-text-align-right{text-align:right}.has-fit-text{white-space:nowrap !important}#end-resizable-editor-section{display:none}.aligncenter{clear:both}.items-justified-left{justify-content:flex-start}.items-justified-center{justify-content:center}.items-justified-right{justify-content:flex-end}.items-justified-space-between{justify-content:space-between}.screen-reader-text{border:0;clip-path:inset(50%);height:1px;margin:-1px;overflow:hidden;padding:0;position:absolute;width:1px;word-wrap:normal !important}.screen-reader-text:focus{background-color:#ddd;clip-path:none;color:#444;display:block;font-size:1em;height:auto;left:5px;line-height:normal;padding:15px 23px 14px;text-decoration:none;top:5px;width:auto;z-index:100000}html :where(.has-border-color){border-style:solid}html :where([style*=border-top-color]){border-top-style:solid}html :where([style*=border-right-color]){border-right-style:solid}html :where([style*=border-bottom-color]){border-bottom-style:solid}html :where([style*=border-left-color]){border-left-style:solid}html :where([style*=border-width]){border-style:solid}html :where([style*=border-top-width]){border-top-style:solid}html :where([style*=border-right-width]){border-right-style:solid}html :where([style*=border-bottom-width]){border-bottom-style:solid}html :where([style*=border-left-width]){border-left-style:solid}html :where(img[class*=wp-image-]){height:auto;max-width:100%}:where(figure){margin:0 0 1em}html :where(.is-position-sticky){--wp-admin--admin-bar--position-offset:var(--wp-admin--admin-bar--height,0px)}@media screen and (max-width:600px){html :where(.is-position-sticky){--wp-admin--admin-bar--position-offset:0px}}.wp-block-button__link{color:#fff;background-color:#32373c;border-radius:9999px;box-shadow:none;text-decoration:none;padding:calc(.667em + 2px) calc(1.333em + 2px);font-size:1.125em}.wp-block-file__button{background:#32373c;color:#fff;text-decoration:none}:root{--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--square:1;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--4-3:4/3;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--3-4:3/4;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--3-2:3/2;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--2-3:2/3;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--16-9:16/9;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--9-16:9/16;--wp--preset--color--black:#000;--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray:#abb8c3;--wp--preset--color--white:#fff;--wp--preset--color--pale-pink:#f78da7;--wp--preset--color--vivid-red:#cf2e2e;--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange:#ff6900;--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber:#fcb900;--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan:#7bdcb5;--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan:#00d084;--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue:#8ed1fc;--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue:#0693e3;--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple:#9b51e0;--wp--preset--gradient--vivid-cyan-blue-to-vivid-purple:linear-gradient(135deg,#0693e3 0%,#9b51e0 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan:linear-gradient(135deg,#7adcb4 0%,#00d082 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-amber-to-luminous-vivid-orange:linear-gradient(135deg,#fcb900 0%,#ff6900 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-orange-to-vivid-red:linear-gradient(135deg,#ff6900 0%,#cf2e2e 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--very-light-gray-to-cyan-bluish-gray:linear-gradient(135deg,#eee 0%,#a9b8c3 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--cool-to-warm-spectrum:linear-gradient(135deg,#4aeadc 0%,#9778d1 20%,#cf2aba 40%,#ee2c82 60%,#fb6962 80%,#fef84c 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--blush-light-purple:linear-gradient(135deg,#ffceec 0%,#9896f0 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--blush-bordeaux:linear-gradient(135deg,#fecda5 0%,#fe2d2d 50%,#6b003e 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-dusk:linear-gradient(135deg,#ffcb70 0%,#c751c0 50%,#4158d0 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--pale-ocean:linear-gradient(135deg,#fff5cb 0%,#b6e3d4 50%,#33a7b5 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--electric-grass:linear-gradient(135deg,#caf880 0%,#71ce7e 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--midnight:linear-gradient(135deg,#020381 0%,#2874fc 100%);--wp--preset--font-size--small:13px;--wp--preset--font-size--medium:20px;--wp--preset--font-size--large:36px;--wp--preset--font-size--x-large:42px;--wp--preset--spacing--20:.44rem;--wp--preset--spacing--30:.67rem;--wp--preset--spacing--40:1rem;--wp--preset--spacing--50:1.5rem;--wp--preset--spacing--60:2.25rem;--wp--preset--spacing--70:3.38rem;--wp--preset--spacing--80:5.06rem;--wp--preset--shadow--natural:6px 6px 9px rgba(0,0,0,.2);--wp--preset--shadow--deep:12px 12px 50px rgba(0,0,0,.4);--wp--preset--shadow--sharp:6px 6px 0px rgba(0,0,0,.2);--wp--preset--shadow--outlined:6px 6px 0px -3px #fff,6px 6px #000;--wp--preset--shadow--crisp:6px 6px 0px #000}:where(.is-layout-flex){gap:.5em}:where(.is-layout-grid){gap:.5em}body .is-layout-flex{display:flex}.is-layout-flex{flex-wrap:wrap;align-items:center}.is-layout-flex>:is(*, div){margin:0}body .is-layout-grid{display:grid}.is-layout-grid>:is(*, div){margin:0}:where(.wp-block-columns.is-layout-flex){gap:2em}:where(.wp-block-columns.is-layout-grid){gap:2em}:where(.wp-block-post-template.is-layout-flex){gap:1.25em}:where(.wp-block-post-template.is-layout-grid){gap:1.25em}.has-black-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--black) !important}.has-cyan-bluish-gray-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray) !important}.has-white-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--white) !important}.has-pale-pink-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--pale-pink) !important}.has-vivid-red-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-red) !important}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange) !important}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber) !important}.has-light-green-cyan-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan) !important}.has-vivid-green-cyan-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan) !important}.has-pale-cyan-blue-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue) !important}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue) !important}.has-vivid-purple-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple) !important}.has-black-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--black) !important}.has-cyan-bluish-gray-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray) !important}.has-white-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--white) !important}.has-pale-pink-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--pale-pink) !important}.has-vivid-red-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-red) !important}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange) !important}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber) !important}.has-light-green-cyan-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan) !important}.has-vivid-green-cyan-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan) !important}.has-pale-cyan-blue-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue) !important}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue) !important}.has-vivid-purple-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple) !important}.has-black-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--black) !important}.has-cyan-bluish-gray-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray) !important}.has-white-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--white) !important}.has-pale-pink-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--pale-pink) !important}.has-vivid-red-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-red) !important}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange) !important}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber) !important}.has-light-green-cyan-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan) !important}.has-vivid-green-cyan-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan) !important}.has-pale-cyan-blue-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue) !important}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue) !important}.has-vivid-purple-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple) !important}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-to-vivid-purple-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--vivid-cyan-blue-to-vivid-purple) !important}.has-light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan) !important}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-to-luminous-vivid-orange-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-amber-to-luminous-vivid-orange) !important}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-to-vivid-red-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-orange-to-vivid-red) !important}.has-very-light-gray-to-cyan-bluish-gray-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--very-light-gray-to-cyan-bluish-gray) !important}.has-cool-to-warm-spectrum-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--cool-to-warm-spectrum) !important}.has-blush-light-purple-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--blush-light-purple) !important}.has-blush-bordeaux-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--blush-bordeaux) !important}.has-luminous-dusk-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-dusk) !important}.has-pale-ocean-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--pale-ocean) !important}.has-electric-grass-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--electric-grass) !important}.has-midnight-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--midnight) !important}.has-small-font-size{font-size:var(--wp--preset--font-size--small) !important}.has-medium-font-size{font-size:var(--wp--preset--font-size--medium) !important}.has-large-font-size{font-size:var(--wp--preset--font-size--large) !important}.has-x-large-font-size{font-size:var(--wp--preset--font-size--x-large) !important}.lds-dual-ring{display:inline-block;width:16px;height:16px}.lds-dual-ring:after{content:" ";display:block;width:16px;height:16px;margin:0px;border-radius:50%;border:3px solid #000;border-color:#000 transparent #000 transparent;animation:lds-dual-ring 1.2s linear infinite}@keyframes lds-dual-ring{0%{transform:rotate(0deg)}100%{transform:rotate(360deg)}}.ifso-logo-loader{font-size:20px;width:64px;font-family:sans-serif;position:relative;height:auto;font-weight:800}.ifso-logo-loader:before{content:"";position:absolute;left:30%;top:36%;width:14px;height:22px;clip-path:polygon(100% 50%,0 0,0 100%);background:#fd5b56;animation:spinAndMoveArrow 2s infinite;height:9px;width:7px}.ifso-logo-loader:after{content:"If So";word-spacing:12px}@keyframes spinAndMoveArrow{40%{transform:rotate(360deg)}60%{transform:translateX(-5px)}80%{transform:translateX(5px)}100%{transform:translateX(0)}}.ifso-default-content-loader{display:inline-block}.tweetable{padding-left:5px;padding-right:23px;padding-top:3px;padding-bottom:3px;background-image:url("https://cdn-ilcanbb.nitrocdn.com/zSaZUQerJYmQaNiAtXPVMPzhCupYbHOo/assets/images/optimized/rev-7cc2324/myblueprint.app/wp-content/plugins/tweetable-shortcode-v2/img/bird.png");background-color:#e5e9f1;background-position-x:right;background-position-y:4px;background-repeat:no-repeat;border-top-left-radius:3px;border-top-right-radius:3px;border-bottom-left-radius:3px;border-bottom-right-radius:3px;color:#65738b;text-decoration:none}.tweetable:hover{background-color:#e2f1f9;background-position-y:-25px}.tweetable.nitro-lazy{background-image:none !important}.spaces-nav-language-switcher{position:relative;padding-right:16px;margin-right:16px;border-right:1px solid #e5e9f1}.spaces-current-language{display:flex;padding:6px 12px;border-radius:4px;border:solid 1px #d9dfea;font-size:16px;font-weight:500;color:#485163;align-items:center}.spaces-current-language .icon{width:16px;height:16px;fill:#aab7cb;margin-left:8px}.spaces-language-selecttion{position:absolute;padding:8px 0px;border-radius:4px;margin:8px 0px;box-shadow:0 4px 8px 0 rgba(37,42,51,.16),0 2px 6px 0 rgba(37,42,51,.24);z-index:99999;display:none;background:#fff}.spaces-language-selecttion:hover{display:block}.spaces-language-selecttion .language{display:flex;padding:6px 20px;align-items:center;justify-content:flex-start}.spaces-language-selecttion .language label{margin-left:8px;font-size:16px;color:#485163;padding-right:10px}.spaces-language-selecttion .language:hover{background-color:#e5e9f1}.ct-FontAwesomeicon-chevron-left{width:.75em}.ct-FontAwesomeicon-facebook{width:.57142857142857em}.ct-FontAwesomeicon-bars{width:.85714285714286em}.ct-FontAwesomeicon-language{width:.85714285714286em}.ct-SpacesMastericon-CareerEducation{width:1.21875em}.ct-SpacesMastericon-DownArrow{width:1.4375em}.ct-SpacesMastericon-AllResources{width:.78125em}.ct-SpacesMastericon-Blog{width:.84375em}.ct-SpacesMastericon-DropInWebinar{width:1.15625em}.ct-SpacesMastericon-HelpCenter{width:.875em}.ct-SpacesMastericon-PartnerStories{width:1.1875em}.ct-SpacesMastericon-RecommendedResources{width:.71875em}.ct-SpacesMastericon-AssessmentandReporting{width:.8125em}.ct-SpacesMastericon-EquityInclusion{width:1.1875em}.ct-SpacesMastericon-PortfolioTemplates{width:.8125em}.ct-SpacesMastericon-PortraitofaGraduate{width:.90625em}.ct-SpacesMastericon-StudentPortfolios{width:.96875em}.oxy-nav-menu .menu-item:hover>.sub-menu,.oxy-nav-menu .menu-item:focus-within>.sub-menu{visibility:hidden;opacity:0}.oxy-nav-menu .menu-item.active:hover>.sub-menu,.oxy-nav-menu .menu-item.active:focus-within>.sub-menu{visibility:visible;opacity:1}.megamenu-link-wrapper svg{width:20px;height:20px;margin-right:5px;display:inline-block;transition:fill .4s ease;fill:#aab7cb;vertical-align:text-bottom}#menu-item-1354 svg,.menu-item-1354 svg{width:16px !important;height:16px !important}.menu-item-1354 svg{margin-left:2px;margin-right:7px !important}.megamenu-parent-wrapper:hover .megamenu-link-wrapper *{color:#2962ff;fill:#2962ff}.resources-mega-menu-wrapper a:hover .ct-fancy-icon{background:#fff !important}.background-wrapper:after{content:"";position:absolute;width:160%;bottom:1px;z-index:-1;transform:scale(.9);box-shadow:0px 0px 10px 2px rgba(0,0,0,.3);margin-left:-50%}.megamenu-parent-wrapper #fancy_icon-202-1225{transform-origin:center center}.spaces-mobile-menu .sub-menu{position:relative !important;left:0 !important;width:100% !important;height:0;padding:0px 0px !important;background:#f7f8fa !important;box-sizing:border-box}.spaces-mobile-menu .sub-menu li{padding-left:32px;padding-right:32px}.spaces-mobile-menu .sub-menu a{font-size:14px !important;color:#252a33 !important}.spaces-mobile-menu .sub-menu li:hover,.spaces-mobile-menu .sub-menu li:active{background:#e2e9f9}.spaces-mobile-menu .sub-menu li:hover a,.spaces-mobile-menu .sub-menu li:active a{color:#2962ff !important}.menu-item-1243 .sub-menu.active{height:auto !important;visibility:visible;opacity:1;padding:16px 0px !important}.menu-item-1243 a:after{position:absolute;right:20px;transform:rotate(130deg) !important}.menu-item-1243.selected a:after{transform:rotate(-45deg) !important}.menu-item-2021 .sub-menu.active{height:auto !important;visibility:visible;opacity:1;padding:16px 0px !important}.menu-item-2021 a:after{position:absolute;right:20px;transform:rotate(130deg) !important}.menu-item-2021.selected a:after{transform:rotate(-45deg) !important}.menu-item-6789:hover .sub-menu,.menu-item-6789 .sub-menu.active{height:auto !important;visibility:visible;opacity:1;padding:16px 0px !important}.menu-item-6789 a:after{position:absolute;right:20px;transform:rotate(130deg) !important}.menu-item-6789.selected a:after{transform:rotate(-45deg) !important}.mob-has-children.active .sub-menu,.mob-has-children.active .sub-menu.active{height:auto !important;visibility:visible;opacity:1;padding:16px 0px !important}.mobile-has-children:hover .sub-menu,.mobile-has-children .sub-menu.active{height:auto !important;visibility:visible;opacity:1;padding:16px 0px !important}.mobile-has-children a:after,.mob-has-children a:after{position:absolute;right:20px;transform:rotate(130deg) !important}.mobile-has-children.selected a:after,.mob-has-children.active a:after{transform:rotate(-45deg) !important}.custom-pricing-link svg{width:16px !important;height:16px !important}.footer-columns .oxy-nav-menu li{text-align:left !important}@media (min-width: 992px){.megamenu-parent-wrapper:hover .resources-mega-menu-wrapper{opacity:1;left:0;visibility:visible}.megamenu-parent-wrapper:hover #fancy_icon-202-1225 svg,.megamenu-parent-wrapper:hover #fancy_icon-342-1225 svg{transform:rotate(180deg)}}@media (max-width: 996px){html[lang="en-CA"] .sp-main-menu-container{display:none !important}html[lang="en-CA"] .sp-mobile-menu-link{display:flex !important}}@media (max-width: 1180px){html[lang="fr-CA"] .sp-main-menu-container{display:none !important}html[lang="fr-CA"] .sp-mobile-menu-link{display:flex !important}}@media (max-width: 1075px) and (min-width: 993px){.megamenu-link-wrapper{text-align:left}.oxy-header-center *{font-size:14px !important}.megamenu-parent-wrapper{margin-left:10px}}.mybp-post-content table,.mybp-post-content th,.mybp-post-content td{border:1px solid}.mybp-post-content table{border-collapse:collapse}.mybp-post-content td{padding:4px}#section-32-125 .oxy-easy-posts-pages{display:none}.sp-post-toc-links-wrapper ul{list-style:none;padding:0;margin:0}.sp-post-toc-links-wrapper ul li{margin-bottom:12px}.sp-post-toc-links-wrapper ul a{color:#65738b;font-size:16px;font-weight:500;line-height:1.6;display:block}.sp-post-toc-links-wrapper ul a:hover{color:#2962ff}

Competency-Based Learning Environments

Portfolio Templates

Assessment and Reporting

Student Portfolios

Portrait of a Graduate

Equity & Inclusion

Family Engagement

Career Education

Resources

All Resources

Getting Started

Discover & Engage

Blog & Podcasts

Case Studies

Support

Help Center

Teacher Sessions

Why SEL is a Must-Have Not a Nice to Have

Benefits of Prioritizing SEL

Download the 6 Benefits of SEL infographic

Try these next...