Social-Emotional Well-Being for High School Students: Guidance for School and System Policy and Practice

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Kennedy, Kate E.

Contributor:

Walls, Jeff

Language:

English

Other Title:

Social-Emotional Well-Being for High School Students

Place of Publication:

RAND Corporation 2024

Summary:

In the United States, student social-emotional well-being has become a priority because of concerning mental health and well-being outcomes for adolescent youth. High schools and school districts have responded by expanding mental health and social-emotional supports. However, there is little research to understand the ways in which educational leaders—including superintendents, school district coordinators, and principals—organize practices and policies to support social-emotional well-being for high school students. In this report, the authors seek to close this research gap by presenting findings from a multi-method, multiyear national study on social-emotional well-being initiatives, focusing on high school students. The authors' takeaways include insights about high school staffing, high school–specific practices that support social-emotional well-being, district-level supports, equity-oriented social-emotional well-being supports for minoritized students, and challenges to implementing or maintaining social-emotional well-being initiatives at the high school level. The authors also provide recommendations aimed at school district leaders, high school leaders, and educational policymakers.