Dr. Christina Cipriano on the Impact of Universal SEL Programs

Dr. Christina Cipriano is an education researcher and psychologist from the Yale Child Study Center. She joins host David Adams in a conversation about a comprehensive meta-analysis she led that evaluated over 400 studies on social-emotional learning (SEL) programs involving over 500,000 students globally. The analysis found significant positive outcomes spanning students' relationships, school climate perceptions, mental health, behaviors, and academic achievement. For example, students participating in SEL programs demonstrated more civic behaviors like democratic participation and had better peer relationships. They also reported decreased anxiety and distress. With teachers being the most effective SEL program facilitators, Dr. Cipriano advocates that schools universally adopt evidence-based SEL curricula to promote student thriving. She highlights how this preventative, universal approach is more cost-effective than reactive student services. Given SEL's demonstrated wide-ranging benefits, the researchers conclude schools should make adoption a priority.