Social-emotional learning, or SEL, is focused on building skills, attitudes and feelings that help students become self-directed and confident learners that can thrive in the face of challenges and help equip them with the tools they need to navigate the complexities of life. An evidence-based SEL curriculum focuses on building specific skills that enhance connectedness and can help to establish a healthy outlook on life. Decades of research also show evidence-based SEL to have lasting effects on a student’s success in school, including improved school attendance and grades.