Date of Award
5-30-2025
Document Type
Non Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts in Education
Department
Education
Program
Educational Leadership
Capstone Instructor
Dr. Oluwatoyin Akinde Fakuajo
Second Reader
Dr. Tosca Grimm
Keywords
social-emotional learning, elementary student, emotional intelligence, academic performance
Abstract
Abstract
Most elementary educators might have argued that they always taught social-emotional learning (SEL) in general education classrooms. However, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted this crucial aspect of education, with students missing out on valuable opportunities to develop their social skills at school. In response, several schools adopted more explicit social-emotional learning curricula. While this pedagogical approach has become more prevalent in recent years, educational leaders need to understand the impact that this approach has on their students.
This paper reviewed 15 literature articles to guide educational leaders, primarily in the elementary domain, seeking to understand how SEL curricula impact students. The reviewed articles vary in types of study: quantitative, mixed-methods, and case studies. The studies gathered within this review focused on four categories: SEL's Impact on Emotional Intelligence Growth, SEL's Impact on Student Behaviors/Relationship Skills, SEL's Impact on Academic Performance, and Challenges and Criticisms of SEL. The resources reviewed suggested that SEL implementation positively impacts emotional intelligence, student behavior, and relationship skills. In addition to this, academics showed growth as well. Positive bias was combated by including studies about equity concerns surrounding SEL implementation. Competent leaders understand both the positives and negatives of pedagogical practices before implementing them in their respective educational settings.
Keywords: social-emotional learning, elementary student, emotional intelligence, academic performance