Handbook of Social and Emotional Learning: Research and Practice

by Joseph A. Durlak (Editor), Celene E. Domitrovich (Editor), Roger P. Weissberg (Editor)

The burgeoning multidisciplinary field of social and emotional learning (SEL) now has a comprehensive and definitive handbook covering all aspects of research, practice, and policy. The prominent editors and contributors describe state-of-the-art intervention and prevention programs designed to build students' skills for managing emotions, showing concern for others, making responsible decisions, and forming positive relationships. Conceptual and scientific underpinnings of SEL are explored and its relationship to children's and adolescents' academic success and mental health examined. Issues in implementing and assessing SEL programs in diverse educational settings are analyzed in depth, including the roles of school- and district-level leadership, teacher training, and school-family partnerships.

Genres: Psychology, Education

634 pages, Paperback

First published March 23, 2015

Reviews

[Ben · Rating 4 out of 5]

Collecting several dozen articles and essays on social emotional learning, Durlak et al aim to create the essential collection of SEL resources in the aptly named Handbook of Social Emotional Learning. While the majority of articles seem to be aimed at policy makers in the common core testing era, recieving a broad overview of SEL policy, theory and Implementation practices and recommendations can be helpful for any educator in this day and age. Having more specific and applicable advice for teachers could have made this dense tome an invaluable resource for all educators, but that doesn't seem the point. Rather than being practical, even 20 years into SEL's codification, researchers and theorists are still trying to convince institutions and policy makers of SEL's validity.