Social and emotional learning standards are a set of educational guidelines that outline what students should know and be able to do in relation to their social and emotional development at different grade levels. They’re like academic standards, but instead of focusing on subject knowledge, they focus on social and emotional learning core competencies.
The five social and emotional learning core competencies identified by CASEL are:
When states adopt social-emotional learning standards, they recognize that learning involves the cognitive, social, emotional, and relational aspects of a child’s development. And they certainly see benefits from it. In fact, schools teaching SEL see a positive impact on academic achievement, fewer behavior and discipline problems, and higher levels of teacher job satisfaction.
In this article, we’ll explore SEL standards across the US and other social-emotional learning examples. Find out what you need to know as an educator.
Imagine a school where every teacher is on the same page when it comes to nurturing students’ development of soft skills. That’s what social and emotional learning standards do. They provide educators with a shared framework, ensuring that their approaches to SEL are aligned. Collaboration becomes easier, and schools can offer consistent, intentional learning experiences for every student.
SEL standards also set developmentally appropriate goals for students and teachers. When standards outline clear milestones, educators can celebrate progress and help students catch up where needed. Social-emotional learning standards help caregivers stay grounded in what’s both realistic and aspirational.
Social and emotional learning standards are far from a new idea. In fact, they can be traced back to ancient Greece.
In his philosophical dialogue The Republic, Plato proposed that education should be holistic, encompassing a balance of physical education, the arts, mathematics, science, character cultivation, and moral judgment. He argued that a truly effective education system produces not only knowledgeable students, but also citizens of good character.
Modern origins come from New Haven, CT. In the 1960s, Yale researcher James Comer’s School Development Program aimed to help low-income, low-achieving, predominantly African American elementary schools. The program formed teams that worked to improve students’ academic, social, and behavioral development.
As a result, by the 1980s, the elementary schools performed above the academic average, and behavior problems had significantly declined. This program ignited a movement as people realized the potential power of holistic education.
Researchers and educators expanded the program. Two leaders, Timothy Shriver and Dr. Roger P. Weissburg, began the New Haven Social Development program, which is considered an early blueprint for SEL standards in schools. The initiative aimed to improve the social and emotional skills of students, and subsequently, their behavior and academic performance.
Also around this time, the W.T. Grant Consortium on the School-Based Promotion of Social Competence brought experts together who defined emotional competence skills and designed a framework for incorporating social and emotional learning in schools.
In 1994, CASEL (Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning) was founded, and in 1997, it co-authored the book Promoting Social and Emotional Learning: Guidelines for Educators. This text is considered foundational in defining the field. Since then, CASEL has advocated for SEL to be an essential part of education.
In 2004, Illinois became the first US state to develop K-12 SEL standards that align with CASEL’s five social and emotional learning core competencies. Their standards outline developmental benchmarks by grade level. Kansas and Pennsylvania followed with their own SEL standards in 2012.
Since the 90s, CASEL has been the leading nonprofit organization in social and emotional learning. They curate research, inform policy, evaluate programming, and guide implementation.
As previously mentioned, CASEL developed the five social and emotional learning core competencies (self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making). CASEL’s framework, often visualized as the CASEL Wheel, offers a structured, evidence-based foundation for implementing SEL and fostering the five competencies.
CASEL’s framework has guided many states in developing their social and emotional learning standards. Perhaps most importantly, the framework has ensured consistency. Whether a student is in New York, Texas, or California, their teachers are guided by the same trusted foundation.
Across the country, educators and policymakers are recognizing the importance of social and emotional learning standards. However, the way they are implemented can look very different depending on the state.
Currently, all 50 states have early childhood/pre-K social and emotional learning standards. The adoption of K-12 SEL standards is less consistent, but it is on the rise. According to CASEL’s 2022 State Scan, 27 states have adopted K-12 SEL standards, in comparison to just 18 in the 2020 review and 14 in 2019.
Many others embed SEL within health education or other subject-area standards. CASEL found that 44 states offer some form of guidance in SEL implementation.
In 2025, Positive Action reported that 29 states have K-12 SEL standards that they share with their teachers.
Each state decides how to define and present its own social-emotional learning standards. Some have comprehensive standards outlining skills across all K-12 grade levels (like Illinois, Kansas, and Pennsylvania).
In contrast, other states may encourage SEL without setting specific statewide benchmarks. A lack of formal standards doesn’t mean SEL isn’t encouraged. It often implies that responsibility for implementation is left to districts and schools. When SEL is less formalized, it allows for more flexibility in how educators incorporate it into their classes.
Even without uniform adoption, many states are finding creative ways to integrate SEL into everyday learning. Some have launched dedicated SEL programs or sessions that provide students with direct instruction on the five competencies.
Others rely on cross-curricular strategies, blending SEL into math, literacy, science, or the arts to strengthen both academic and personal skills at once.
Additionally, many states invest in professional development for teachers that equips them with tools to model SEL practices and create supportive learning environments. Math & Movement’s Trauma and Math webinar is one professional development opportunity.
Despite differences in format and scope, state-level social and emotional learning standards generally align with the five competencies identified by CASEL. It is also common for SEL standards to be structured by grade bands, such as K-3, 3-5, middle grades, and high school.
While not every state has adopted full K-12 social-emotional learning standards, most provide some form of guidance. Knowing where your state stands can help you understand the resources available for your school or district.
Below is a regional breakdown of states that currently have formal K–12 SEL standards or policies. Click on any state name to see their standards.
| Western States | Midwestern States | Southern States | Northeastern States |
|---|---|---|---|
Check with your local education agency for the most up-to-date information on social-emotional learning standards in your area.
As schools across the country continue to adopt and refine social and emotional learning standards, the movement is not without its challenges. Yet, these challenges also open opportunities to strengthen practices and ensure SEL benefits every student.
Conversations around SEL sometimes spark debate among educators. However, national survey results show that parents across the political spectrum overwhelmingly support SEL and the skills it fosters. In fact, a 2022 poll indicated that about 8 in 10 parents (Democrats and Republicans alike) believe their schools are teaching the right amount of SEL or should even do more.
How SEL is implemented is another challenge. Research highlights the importance of the SAFE framework:
SEL programs that follow this framework have a significant positive impact on SEL skills, student attitudes towards self and others, school bonding, behavioral problems, emotional distress, and academic performance.
High-quality implementation ensures that SEL standards translate into meaningful growth for students, rather than surface-level activities.
A growing body of research shows that well-designed SEL programs improve academic performance, strengthen relationships, and support mental health. As a result, social-emotional learning standards are increasingly shaped by evidence-based practices that demonstrate measurable benefits for students.
A groundbreaking 2023 study found that students who participate in SEL programs have significantly improved skills, attitudes, behaviors, school climate and safety perceptions, peer relationships, school functioning, and academic achievement, compared to students who did not participate.
This is an evolving field. States continue to refine their frameworks, and organizations like CASEL, working alongside state education departments, provide the guidance needed to make social and emotional learning standards consistent, effective, and equitable. Through collaboration, schools can ensure that SEL is not only valued in theory but also impactful in practice.
Looking ahead, the future of social and emotional learning core competencies rests on building strong partnerships between educators, families, researchers, and policymakers.
Related Reading: Understanding ACEs and How Childhood Trauma Affects Learning
Social-emotional learning standards provide actionable benchmarks for whole-child education. They help children and young adults build the resilience, empathy, and decision-making skills they need to succeed academically, personally, and professionally.
SEL standards ensure that schools nurture the well-being and soft skills of every learner. Just as Plato proposed in 380 B.C., schools should strive to produce people who are academically knowledgeable and of good character.
When thoughtfully implemented, SEL transforms classrooms into supportive and effective learning communities where students feel safe and valued. High-quality, systemic SEL implementation, guided by clear social and emotional learning standards, ensures equity, consistency, and meaningful growth for all students.
At Math & Movement, we believe SEL can be a part of joyful, movement-based learning activities. Our supplemental program allows educators to add kinesthetic learning strategies to their existing curriculum. These movement-based activities build community, encourage collaboration, and promote positive self-talk, all while helping students master core academic concepts.
Whether through our floor mats, learning kits, or professional development workshops, we’re here to support schools in fostering the social and emotional learning core competencies that students carry into every part of their lives. Explore some of our offerings below.
Social and emotional learning standards are guidelines that define what students should know and be able to do to grow socially and emotionally at each grade level. Like academic standards in the sense that they provide clear expectations, but the focus is on skills such as self-awareness, empathy, and responsible decision-making.
Currently, all 50 states have early childhood/pre-K social and emotional learning standards. According to CASEL’s 2022 State Scan, 27 states have adopted K-12 SEL standards.
The following states have K-12 SEL standards:
The 5 social and emotional learning core competencies, identified by CASEL, are self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making.
Social-emotional learning standards emerged gradually through the work of educators and researchers. In the 1960s, James Comer at Yale created a program addressing students’ social and emotional needs. In the 1980s, initiatives like the New Haven Social Development program and the W.T. Grant Consortium on the School-Based Promotion of Social Competence further shaped SEL frameworks. In 1994, CASEL (Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning) was founded and has since become the leading organization advancing SEL research, policy, and practice in schools.
Suzy Koontz, CEO and Founder of Math & Movement, has spent over 25 years helping students achieve academic success. She has created over 200 kinesthetic teaching tools adopted by schools nationwide and has authored over 20 books. As a sought-after national presenter, Suzy shares how movement can transform the way students learn.
Movement isn't just for recess
Want to get started with movement-based learning right now? Enter your email to get our training manual with over 250 active math movements. No materials necessary!
Please leave your email and a quick note for us. We will get back to you soon! In the meantime, here are answers to some of our most common questions:
Enter your email to get our training manual with over 250 active math movements. No materials necessary!
We never share or sell your data.
