Initial Validation of a Social-Emotional Competence Screener for Teachers

• In Event: Exploring Teachers' Social-Emotional Learning

Abstract

Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) programs improve students’ academic and personal well-being. Teachers are frequently asked to implement these programs in their classrooms. The success of these SEL programs is highly dependent on implementation fidelity and teachers’ own social-emotional competence (SEC). As schools prepare to carry out SEL programming, they must also ensure teachers are prepared to deliver SEL curricula. However, there is currently a lack of measures to gauge teachers’ level of SEC. This study evaluated the initial psychometric properties of a brief screener for teachers’ SEC with 232 teachers. Results indicate good model fit and reliability, and convergent validity with the SREIS. Importance of teacher SEC, results, limitations to the study, and implications for use will be discussed.

Authors

• Sarah Kathleen Ura, Texas A&M University - College Station

• Sara Castro-Olivo, Texas A&M University - College Station

• Ana C. d'Abreu, Texas A&M University - College Station