Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Systematic Review: Final Report, August 2021

The review aimed to identify effective SEL programs and their outcomes, particularly in humanitarian and development contexts. The study focused on the effects of SEL programs on children and communities, including academic, social-emotional, and workforce outcomes. The review involved a comprehensive search of existing literature, including peer-reviewed articles, grey literature, and reports. The study team extracted data from 145 studies, which were then analyzed using a mixed-methods approach. The review identified key findings on the breadth, depth, and types of evidence supporting SEL programs. The review found that SEL programs had a positive impact on social-emotional outcomes, including increased self-awareness, self-regulation, and social skills. These outcomes were observed in both humanitarian and development contexts. The review also found that SEL programs had a positive impact on academic outcomes, including improved academic achievement and reduced dropout rates. In addition, the review found that SEL programs had a positive impact on workforce outcomes, including improved employability and reduced unemployment rates. The review also identified key findings on the effects of SEL programs across sub-populations, including children and youth with disabilities, marginalized populations, and humanitarian contexts. The review highlighted the importance of considering the implementation context and approach when evaluating the effectiveness of SEL programs. The study team identified key factors that influenced the success of SEL programs, including the quality of implementation, the level of community engagement, and the availability of resources. The review concluded that SEL programs can have a positive impact on children and communities, particularly in humanitarian and development contexts. The study team recommended that policymakers and practitioners consider the findings of this review when designing and implementing SEL programs.