SEAL Leads to Improved Academic Outcomes

Hundreds of studies offer consistent evidence that SEAL bolsters academic
performance and benefits students.

• SEAL interventions that address the five core competencies increased students’ academic
performance by 11 percentile points, compared to students who did not participate.
• Students participating in SEAL programs showed improved: classroom behavior, ability to manage stress and depression, and attitudes about themselves, others, and school.

 SEAL Benefits are Long-Term and Global 

SEAL implementation has long-term positive outcomes and is effective across diverse cultural contexts.

• Social and emotional benefits developed through SEAL programs are positively correlated
with higher levels of well-being up to 18 years later.
• SEAL approaches are consistently effective with all demographic groups, supporting the
positive development of students across diverse backgrounds.
• The positive effects are even stronger when SEAL implementation is designed with a specific
context or culture in mind, emphasizing the importance of a tailored approach

SEAL is a Wise Financial Investment

Cost-benefit research demonstrates the value of SEAL programs.

• An average return on investment for six evidence-based programs was 11 to 1, meaning every dollar invested produced $11 worth of benefits.

 
Social & Emotional Skills Help Improve Lifetime Outcomes 

There are statistically significant associations between social and emotional skills in kindergarten and key outcomes for young adults years later.

• Social and emotional skills decreased the likelihood of living in or being on a waiting list for public housing, receiving public assistance, having any involvement with police before adulthood, and ever spending time in a detention facility.

Adapted from:  Phi Delta Kappa International, 2021 & CASEL, 2021