Includes bibliographical references (pages 147-163) and index.

Machine generated contents note: Overview -- Rationale for the text -- What is SEL? -- A taxonomy of SEL -- Why has SEL become so popular? -- What can research tell us about SEL? -- The importance of implementation -- The structure of this book -- Notes on voice, terminology and textual features -- Further reading -- Overview -- The prevailing definition of SEL -- The universalist approach (and its potential problems) -- What is the nature of the skills imparted through SEL? -- The broader discourse -- diversity or dilution? -- Mapping SEL and associated concepts -- The backbone of SEL -- Mental health and well-being -- How does SEL work? An analysis of the logic model -- Direct links between SEL and school outcomes -- Indirect links between SEL and school outcomes -- Further reading -- Overview -- The historical roots of SEL -- Progressive education -- The interplay between emotions and reason -- The influence of social, emotional and multiple intelligences -- The self-esteem movement -- A youth in crisis -- Evidence for hope rather than despair -- Risk, protection and resilience -- The field of school-based prevention -- The political and financial drivers of SEL -- Further reading -- Overview -- The United States -- England -- Northern Ireland -- Australia -- Sweden -- Singapore -- Convergences and divergences in SEL across the world -- an analysis -- Further reading -- Overview -- The importance of assessment -- Key issues in assessing SEL -- A selected anthology of measures of social and emotional competence in children and young people -- Beyond social and emotional competence -- what else should be assessed? -- Further reading -- Overview -- Implementation matters -- Elements of implementation -- Factors affecting implementation -- Bringing it all together -- the implementation quality framework -- Further reading -- Overview -- What does the research tell us about the impact of SEL on outcomes for children and young people? -- Key issues in interpreting SEL outcome research -- Interpreting SEL evaluation studies with null results: a framework -- Further reading -- Overview -- Examining the orthodoxy of SEL -- Future directions -- Final thoughts -- Further reading.

Social and emotional learning is a dominant orthodoxy in education systems around the world. This book provides the first in-depth, authoritative and balanced examination of the critical issues pervading the field. Each substantive aspect of SEL is examined through a critical lens, thanks to an extensive and thorough review of the international research literature.