Social and emotional learning (SEL) is the process through which children and adults understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions. Good social and emotional learning increases a student’s chances of success in school and in life, even in the face of learning challenges and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs).
Why is this important? Because:
- Students who are more positive about school are more likely to stay in school.
- Students who believe they can learn new skills have a growth mindset instead of a fixed mindset. They believe that their own efforts can lead to achievement, not just “being good at it.”
- Students who are confident in their self-efficacy believe they can work hard and succeed.
The most recent of several studies of Edge coaching’s effectiveness, a three-year 250-student study, concluded in December 2018 and showed that Edge In-School Coaching for social and emotional learning (SEL) was highly effective for middle school students. Here were the results of how students rated the program:
- 95.6% said they were More positive about school
- 94.8% felt more positive about skills learned (growth mindset)
- 80.2% said they had increased confidence (self-efficacy)
- 78.3% believed they were better prepared for high school
Over the past 13 years, Edge Foundation has delivered a specialized form of coaching to young people that gives them a chance to make responsible decisions and own the outcomes. Its coaching techniques have achieved outstanding results even with kids in environments that often produce high ACEs scores—homeless youth, young people in foster care, and young people in the lowest income brackets at the most poorly performing schools.
This most recent study demonstrates the power of Edge coaching to foster social and emotional learning, and help students build resilience and confidence.
Tim Kniffin, Nelson Garbutt interviewed about Edge In-School Coaching program in Truman Middle School