The Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning collaborated with Civic and Hart Research & Associates, sponsored by The Allstate Foundation, to survey 1,300 current and recent high school students. “Respected: Perspectives of Youth on High School & Social and Emotional Learning” explores how students view their school experience, their greatest challenges, how well they feel prepared for life after high school and how schools could improve.

A majority of current students and recent graduates believe going to a social and emotional learning (SEL) high school would help or would have helped:

  • Improve teacher-student relationships (72 percent current students, 68 percent recent graduates);
  • Improve relationships with friends/other students (67 percent current students, 71 percent recent graduates);
  • Reduce bullying (63 percent current students, 64 percent recent graduates);
  • Learn academic material (69 percent current students, 64 percent recent graduates);
  • Prepare for college (76 percent current students, 69 percent recent graduates);
  • Learn real-world skills for after high school (74 percent current students, 70 percent recent graduates);
  • Prepare for jobs/careers (73 percent current students, 67 percent recent graduates);and
  • Prepare for giving back to the community (66 percent current students, 64 percent recent graduates).

As these results show, students feel that an SEL school has the capacity to affect their interpersonal relationships, their academic performance and their preparation for future success in college, careers and communities.

To read  a story about the survey, visit the ASCD website.