Sponsors (10)
The resolution highlights and encourages social and emotional learning—potentially improving student outcomes, teacher wellbeing, and delivering economic returns—but because it is a symbolic national observance without funding or mandates, it risks producing little concrete change and could widen gaps for under-resourced schools.
Students who receive social and emotional learning (SEL) instruction show improved academic achievement (e.g., percentile gains in math and literacy), better attendance, homework completion, engagement, and overall school functioning.
Taxpayers and school districts that invest in evidence-based SEL programs may see positive economic returns and long-term cost savings (one study estimates about $11 returned per $1 spent).
Teachers and school staff with stronger social and emotional competence are less likely to experience burnout, which can improve teacher retention and classroom stability.
Students, educators, and schools will likely see little concrete change because the resolution only designates a national week and does not provide funding or require SEL programming.
Low-income students and under-resourced schools risk being left behind if policymakers rely on symbolic observances instead of allocating funds for evidence-based SEL implementation.
Taxpayers and schools may not realize projected academic or economic benefits if local SEL efforts are not evidence-based or well-implemented, since ROI estimates come from selected studies.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Designates March 2–6, 2026 as National Social and Emotional Learning Week and recognizes SEL benefits and core competencies.
Introduced March 2, 2026 by Richard Joseph Durbin · Last progress March 2, 2026
Designates the week of March 2–6, 2026, as National Social and Emotional Learning Week and formally recognizes the benefits of social and emotional learning (SEL). It lists research-based findings on SEL outcomes (improved academic achievement, school functioning, mental wellness, long-term health benefits, and return on investment), defines SEL, and enumerates its five core competencies.