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Effective universal school-based social and emotional learning programs for improving academic achievement: A systematic review and meta-analysis of 50 years of research

Corcoran, Roisin P.; Cheung, Alan C.K.; Kim, Elizabeth; Xie, Chen

Authors

Roisin P. Corcoran

Alan C.K. Cheung

Elizabeth Kim

Chen Xie



Contributors

ROISIN CORCORAN
Contact Person

Abstract

© 2017 This review explored the research regarding the effects of pre-K-12 school-based social and emotional learning (SEL) interventions on reading (N = 57,755), mathematics (N = 61,360), and science (N = 16,380) achievement. The review focused on research that met the criteria for high methodological standards. Further, methodological and substantive characteristics of these studies were examined to investigate the association between SEL and study characteristics. There were 40 studies that qualified that were included in the final analysis based on pre-K-12 participants. The results of this review found that SEL had a positive effect on reading (ES = +0.25), mathematics (ES = +0.26), and (though small) science (ES = +0.19) compared to traditional methods, consistent with previous reviews. However, SEL programs from more rigorous randomized studies with large sample sizes that have dominated the classroom over the last few decades might not have as meaningful effects for pre-K-12 students as once thought. More randomized studies are needed to confirm these conclusions.

Citation

Corcoran, R. P., Cheung, A. C., Kim, E., & Xie, C. (2018). Effective universal school-based social and emotional learning programs for improving academic achievement: A systematic review and meta-analysis of 50 years of research. Educational Research Review, 25, 56-72. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.edurev.2017.12.001

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Dec 14, 2017
Online Publication Date Dec 18, 2017
Publication Date 2018-11
Deposit Date Nov 29, 2018
Journal Educational Research Review
Print ISSN 1747-938X
Publisher Elsevier
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 25
Pages 56-72
DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.edurev.2017.12.001
Keywords Education; Academic achievement; Meta-analysis; Social and emotional learning programs; Systematic review
Public URL https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1345231
Additional Information This article is maintained by: Elsevier; Article Title: Effective universal school-based social and emotional learning programs for improving academic achievement: A systematic review and meta-analysis of 50 years of research; Journal Title: Educational Research Review; CrossRef DOI link to publisher maintained version: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.edurev.2017.12.001; Content Type: article; Copyright: © 2017 Published by Elsevier Ltd.


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