New K-12 Survey: Social and Emotional Learning Gains Awareness and Prioritization Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

For the 2021 report, McGraw Hill surveyed educators (teachers), administrators and parents to better understand their opinions about the importance of Social and Emotional Learning, the effects of COVID-19 on children’s wellbeing, and on how schools can support kids as they return for the 2021-22 school year. According to the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning, SEL is defined as the process through which young people and adults acquire and apply knowledge, skills and attitudes to develop healthy identities, manage emotions and achieve personal and collective goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain supportive relationships, and make responsible and caring decisions.

COVID-19 and SEL

Overall, the pandemic has clearly underscored the importance of SEL. A majority of educators said COVID-19 and/or the shift to remote learning has caused their students emotional distress and created problems with attendance. Administrators and teachers cite that an increased number of students have "given up" on school and show signs of depression, loneliness and anxiety. Teachers also find that student confidence has plummeted, and it is easier for them to disengage from learning. As such, over 84 percent of educators believe that SEL has become more important since the pandemic.

Throughout the last year and a half, many students have dealt with family losses and are fearful of COVID-19 and social interactions. This has prompted three-quarters of educators to anticipate additional SEL needs for the move back to classrooms. Over 95 percent of educators believe that SEL will help provide benefits such as reduced behavioral problems, improved grades and less emotional distress.

"The research is clear: Social and Emotional Learning is a critical component to student success and wellbeing generally, and especially now as we navigate between online and in-person experiences," said Sean Ryan, President of McGraw Hill’s School group. "Across the board, parents, teachers and administrators recognize the significant impact SEL has on academic achievement and student motivation, and we are committed to providing SEL resources that support everyone connected to the classroom."