Social and Behavioral Context for Academic Learning
Dr. Emily J. Doolittle
(202) 245-7833
Emily.Doolittle@ed.gov
Social and Behavioral Context for Academic Learning supports research on social skills, attitudes, and behaviors that support learning, achievement, and progress through the education system.
HISTORY/BACKGROUND
This program emerged from an early IES investment in a multi-site evaluation of social and character development programs. The primary question for the multi-site evaluation was: can universal school-based programs that aim to promote positive social skills and character improve 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students' social and behavioral competencies and academic achievement relative to typical school practice?
We learned that:
Why didn't these well-designed, evidence-based programs have their intended impacts? Do schools really engage in social-behavioral practices in the absence of formal programs? Research projects in this portfolio explore, develop, test, or evaluate ways to:
See the Social, Emotional, and Behavioral Influences on Learning page to learn more about IES initiatives in this area.