Sharing what works in education. 💡 Edutopia is an initiative of the George Lucas Educational Foundation.A free source of information, inspiration, and practical strategies for learning and teaching in preK-12 education.

Core values

- **Improves Academic Performance**: SEL programs have been shown to increase students' academic performance by 11 percentile points and reduce aggression and emotional distress[1][4].
- **Long-Term Benefits**: SEL interventions lead to fewer psychological, behavioral, or substance abuse problems in adulthood, higher educational attainment, stronger employment, and better mental health[1].
- **Economic Impact**: Every dollar invested in SEL programs yields approximately $11 in long-term benefits, including reduced juvenile crime, higher lifetime earnings, and better mental and physical health[1].
- **Promotes Positive Behavior**: SEL programs increase prosocial behavior, reduce misconduct, substance abuse, and emotional distress, and improve positive attitudes toward self and others[1][4].
- **Enhances Community and School Culture**: By integrating SEL into school practices, schools can promote a positive school culture, improve student and staff well-being, and foster a more supportive community[5].