Program Description

"Second Step is a program rooted in social-emotional learning (SEL) that helps transform schools into supportive, successful learning environments uniquely equipped to encourage children to thrive. More than just a classroom curriculum, Second Step’s holistic approach helps create a more empathetic society by providing education professionals, families, and the larger community with tools to enable them to take an active role in the social-emotional growth and safety of today’s children."

Cost

The cost varies by kit and component

Intended Population

• Core
• Intervention

Grade

• Pre-K
• Elementary School
• Middle School

Intended Group Size

• Any

ELL/DLL

• Unspecified

Multisensory Applications

• Yes

Computer-Based Delivery

• Partial

Scripted

• Instructor Scripted

Comprehensive or Skill Specific

• Comprehensive

Placement Tests

• No

Accelerated Learning

• No

Assessment to Monitor Skills Mastery

• Unspecified

Error Correction Built In

• Unspecified

Research Summary

NeMTSS team literature review indicated positive effects of Second Step on children and adolescents' social-emotional skills. A number of randomized controlled trials have been conducted on Second Step.

Study Citations

Cook, C. R., Low, S., Whitaker, K., Pullmann, M. D., & Lally, J. (2018). Evaluation of Second Step on early elementary students' academic outcomes: A randomized controlled trial. School Psychology Quarterly, 33(4), 561-572.

Upshur, C. C., Wenz-Gross, M., Rhoads, C., Heyman, M., Yoo, Y., & Sawosik, G. (2019). A randomized efficacy trial of the second step learning (SSEL) curriculum. Journal of Apllied Developmental Psychology, 62, 145-159.

Espelage, D. L., Low, S., Polanin, J. R., & Brown, E. C. (2015). Clinical trial of Second Step middle-school program: Impact of aggression & victimization. Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology, 37, 52-63. 

Holsen, I., Smith, B. H., & Frey, K. S. (2008). Outcomes of the social competence program Second Step in Norweigen elementary schools. School Psychology International, 29(1), 71-88. 

Taub, J. Evaluation of the Second Step violence prevention program at a rural elementary school, School Psychology Review, 31(2), 186-200. 

Low, S., Smolkowski, K., Cook, C. & Desfosses, D. (2019). Two-year impact of a universal social-emotional learning curriculum: Group differences from developmentally sensitive trends over time. Developmental Psychology, 55(2), 415-433.

Wenz-Gross, M., Yoo, Y., Upshur, C. C., & Gambino, A. J. (2018). 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, 1-19.

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

Currie, C., Rajanbabu, P. & King, D. (2022). A Toolbox of Adaptations for Online Delivery of SEL Programming. Journal of Online Learning Research, 8(1), 7-35. Waynesville, NC USA: Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE). Retrieved April 24, 2023 from https://www.learntechlib.org/primary/p/220258/.

What Works Clearinghouse (WWC) Report

• No studies met WWC inclusion criteria

Evidence Base (ESSA)

• Promising
• Strong

Evidence-Based Practice (EBP)

• Evidence-based practice

Additional Reviews

• https://www.philasd.org/research/programsservices/projects/evaluation-of-second-step-social-emotional-learning-curriculum/