Second Step SEL Program for Early Learning

Second Step Social-Emotional Learning for Early Learning Is Shown to Significantly Increase Executive Function, Which Leads to Kindergarten Readiness

Wenz-Gross, M., Yoo, Y., Upshur, C. C., & Gambino, A. J. (2018, October). Pathways to kindergarten readiness: The roles of Second Step Early Learning curriculum and social emotional, executive functioning, preschool academic and task behavior skills. Frontiers in Psychology (9). https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.01886

Executive function, a set of foundational cognitive skills, is strongly linked to young students’ kindergarten readiness and academic success. Findings from a recent randomized control trial indicate that participation in Second Step SEL for Early Learning leads to significant increases in preschoolers’ executive function. Growth in preschoolers’ executive function subsequently predicted gains in students’ pre-academic skills and on-task behavior, which in turn predicted their kindergarten readiness.

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Increased Executive Functioning Shown in Preschoolers Who Received the Second Step Program

Upshur, C. C., Heyman, M., Wenz-Gross, M. (2017). Efficacy trial of the Second Step Early Learning (SSEL) curriculum: Preliminary outcomes. Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology, 50, 15–25.

A classroom randomized trial compared the Second Step Early Learning curriculum with the most commonly used curricula in Head Start and community preschools. Children receiving the Second Step curriculum had significantly better end-of-preschool executive function skills than students who did not receive the program.

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Second Step SEL Program for Elementary School (conducted with the 2011 Edition)

Improvements in Prosocial Skills, Empathy, Conduct Shown with Second Step Program

Low, S., Cook, C. R., Smolkowski, K., & Buntain-Ricklefs, J. (2015). Promoting social-emotional competence: An evaluation of the elementary version of Second Step.® Journal of School Psychology, 53, 463–477.

This study (the first with the 2011 edition of the Second Step program) conducted a randomized controlled trial over a 1-year period with 7300 students and 321 teachers in 61 schools across six school districts, from kindergarten to second grade. Significant improvements in social-emotional competence and behavior were made by children who started the school year with skill deficits in these areas. Additionally, the number of lessons completed and student engagement were predictive of improved student outcomes.

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Second Step SEL Program for Elementary School (conducted with the 2002 Edition)

Less Adult Conflict Intervention, Improved Social Competence

Frey, K. S., Nolen, S. B., Edstrom, L. V., & Hirschstein, M. K. (2005). Effects of a school-based social-emotional competence program: Linking children’s goals, attributions, and behavior. Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology, 26, 171–200.

This study examined the effects of the Second Step program on 1,253 second- through fourth-grade children. When compared with children in a control group, those who participated in the Second Step program showed greater improvement in teacher ratings of their social competence, were less aggressive, and were more likely to choose positive goals.

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Gains in Prosocial Skills and Behavior

Edwards, D., Hunt, M. H., Meyers, J., Grogg, K. R., & Jarrett, O. (2005). Acceptability and student outcomes of a violence prevention curriculum. The Journal of Primary Prevention, 26, 401–418. doi:10.1007/s10935-005-0002-z

A pre/post study of 455 fourth- and fifth-grade students in a small urban school district evaluated the efficacy of the Second Step curriculum. After students received the Second Step program, they showed significant gains in knowledge about social-emotional skills. Report card data also revealed modest gains in prosocial behavior.

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Second Step SEL Program for Middle School (conducted with the 2008 Edition)

Physical Aggression 42 Percent Less Likely

Espelage, D. L., Low, S., Polanin, J. R., & Brown, E. C. (2013). The impact of a middle school program to reduce aggression, victimization, and sexual violence. Journal of Adolescent Health, 53(2), 180–186.

Thirty-six middle schools in the Chicago and Wichita areas participated in an evaluation of the Second Step Middle School program. Schools in the study were randomly assigned to teach either the Second Step program or be control schools. After one year, sixth-graders in schools that implemented the Second Step program were 42 percent less likely to say they were involved in physical aggression compared with sixth-graders in schools that did not implement the program.

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20-Percent Reduction in Bullying by Students with Disabilities

Espelage, D. L., Polanin, J. R., & Rose, C. A. (2015). Social-emotional learning program to reduce bullying, fighting, and victimization among middle school students with disabilities. Remedial and Special Education, doi: 10.1177/0741932514564564

This three-year study followed 123 students with disabilities from sixth through eighth grades. The 47 students in the intervention group received Second Step lessons during these three years. The control group of 76 students received no Second Step lessons. The study found that bullying by students with disabilities decreased by one-fifth during the three-year period of middle school among the intervention group participating in the Second Step program.

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Second Step Child Protection Unit

Increased Parent Knowledge About and Motivation to Discuss Child Sexual Abuse Prevention

Nickerson, A. B., Livingston, J. A., Kamper-DeMarco, K. (2018). Evaluation of Second Step child protection videos: A randomized controlled trial. Child Abuse & Neglect 76, 10–22.

A randomized control trial examined the effects of the Second Step Child Protection Unit’s family videos* on parents’ knowledge, motivation, and self-reported communication with their child about personal safety and childhood sexual abuse (CSA) prevention. Parents who watched the videos had significant increases in knowledge about CSA and parental motivation to have conversations with their children about personal safety and CSA at a two-month follow-up compared to those who did not watch the videos.
*Also publicly available at EarlyOpenOften.org and in Spanish at abiertoyamenudo.org

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