National Commission on Social, Emotional, and Academic Development

On the front lines of education, students, families, communities, and educators are demanding a more balanced approach to our vision of learning: One that recognizes learning is always social, emotional, and academic, and these strands cannot be teased apart. One that goes beyond test scores in reading and mathematics to an authentic picture of what it means to be a successful graduate— with the academic and social skills and good character to become a positive, contributing member of society with a productive and fulfilling life. One that reflects what all families want—that children of all abilities and backgrounds are recognized, engaged, and supported.

There is abundant evidence that when districts and schools explicitly and meaningfully commit to focusing on students’ comprehensive development as a central part of their academic growth, the academic success and the welfare of students rise powerfully together.

More than two decades of research across a wide range of disciplines—developmental psychology, economics, and learning and brain science—demonstrates that learning has social, emotional, and cognitive dimensions. We now know that students will make far more progress academically when they’re given the opportunity to learn in environments where these skills are recognized as mutually reinforcing and central to learning. We also know that these skills grow over time, are influenced by one’s lived experiences, and are best facilitated through relationships.

A range of programs and approaches that intentionally foster the whole child are achieving results, increasing students’ academic achievement and their ability to get along well with others, persist at hard tasks, and believe in themselves as effective learners and individuals. Young people with stronger social, emotional, and cognitive competencies are more likely to enter and graduate from college, succeed in their careers, have positive work and family relationships, better mental and physical health, reduced criminal behavior, and to become engaged citizens. Similarly, employers recognize that it doesn’t matter how much workers know if they can’t work well in teams, communicate clearly, and grapple with difficult problems.