Abstract
A pilot study was conducted to assess the feasibility of the survey questionnaire, participant recruitment, and data collection and analysis processes. According to research at Columbia University on six evidence-based programs, the long-term social and economic benefits return $11 for every $1 invested in SEL programs (Belfield et al., 2015). Program evaluation researchers have analyzed the impacts of SEL programs directly after implementation, but there is a lack of empirical data examining SEL skills for long-term retention (Payton et al., 2008). [...]there is a dearth of information on the impact teachers can have on a successful SEL program implementation (Haymovitz et al., 2017). While research data include positive impacts on student academic and behavior outcomes from SEL interventions, certain school-wide conditions are crucial to supporting the development and implementation of these practices (Martinez, 2016; Payton et al., 2008).