Thursday, October 1, 2026
Social-emotional learning, or SEL, has become a central focus in education today. A recent national survey by the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning, a nonprofit promoting evidence-based SEL curricula, found that over 80 percent of U.S. schools have implemented some form of SEL.
In the Babylon School District, SEL is a key priority. In 2018, the State Education Department established benchmarks for SEL competencies by grade level. A year later, the state integrated SEL into its early learning guidelines. In Babylon, we adopted CharacterStrong, a comprehensive, evidence-based SEL program spanning grades K-12.
SEL teaches students to understand themselves and others, empowering them to make thoughtful decisions that benefit themselves and their communities. It provides tools to regulate emotions, build healthy relationships and navigate social situations effectively. SEL fosters self-awareness, empathy and self-control, which are critical for personal and interpersonal growth. These skills aren’t just beneficial in school, but are essential for success in all areas of life, from personal relationships to professional environments.
The CharacterStrong program uses strategies, discussion topics and interactive activities to build community and teach essential skills like active listening, maintaining eye contact and techniques for engaging in meaningful conversations. It also incorporates videos, connection games and book recommendations to help students practice those skills in class and at home. Babylon chose CharacterStrong for its scalability across grade levels, ensuring continuity as students build on foundational skills learned in earlier grades.
Why is SEL important? Beyond fostering kindness, respect and thoughtfulness, research has shown that it has profound mental health benefits. A 2023 Yale School of Medicine study concluded that SEL improves academic performance, school engagement and skills like self-efficacy and resilience while reducing anxiety, stress and depression. Students also reported feeling safer and more connected to their school communities. These benefits lasted six months or more after students left school.
Additionally, students with strong SEL skills were more likely to value social justice and equity, highlighting its broader societal impact. By addressing the root causes of emotional and social challenges, SEL helps create a more inclusive and supportive environment for all students.
Its benefits extend beyond mental health and academics; they may also have economic implications. Education Week recently noted that companies such as Microsoft, Google and Southwest Airlines value social-emotional skills just as much as technical expertise. While research on SEL’s direct economic impact is ongoing, executives emphasize the importance of hiring employees with these skill, which help people thrive in professional environments, collaborate in diverse teams and manage workplace stress.
SEL does not replace traditional subjects like math, science or social studies. On the contrary, those disciplines remain as vital as ever. Instead, SEL complements the overall educational experience by addressing the emotional and social dimensions of learning.
Research shows that students learn better when they can manage their emotions and motivations. By integrating SEL, schools create environments in which students are academically prepared, emotionally resilient and socially adept. This holistic approach ensures that students are well-rounded individuals capable of navigating life’s complexities. SEL also helps bridge gaps in learning by addressing barriers such as anxiety or lack of motivation, enabling students to fully engage with their education.
As more schools embrace SEL, we look forward to seeing the long-term benefits for our students. The ultimate goal of education is to prepare them to become healthy, productive and engaged members of society. SEL plays a crucial role, by equipping students with the skills to understand themselves, connect with others and contribute positively to their communities.
By investing in SEL, we enhance the educational experience and lay the foundation for a more compassionate and equitable future. The skills students gain will serve them not only in school but throughout their lives, helping them build stronger relationships, achieve their goals and make meaningful contributions to society.
Carisa Manza is superintendent of the Babylon Union Free School District.
