PATHS to Success: Lessons from implementing and evaluating a social and emotional learning

programme in primary schools

Nick Axford PhDThe Social Research Unit at Dartington

PATHS

• Universal school-based programme for 4-11s• Focuses on 5 topics: self-control, emotional

understanding, positive self-esteem, relationships, and interpersonal problem-solving skills

• 2/3 times a week + generalisation• Scripts to facilitate instruction + flexibility• Encourages parent involvement

Evaluations

• 10+ studies, from 79 children to over 5,000• 8 randomised controlled trials• Some include children with special needs• Mostly 5-11s but some with slightly younger• Most from US but now also England, Northern Ireland

and Switzerland• Measures of emotion recognition, behaviour and

problem-solving• Observation and reports by teachers, parents, children

Summary of results

• Lower rate of conduct problems and aggression• Lower anxiety/depression and anger• Improved social problem solving, emotional understanding,

and self-control• Better understanding of cues for recognising feelings in others• Higher scores on peer socialibility and social school functioning• Better ability to resolve peer conflicts, identify feelings,

identify problems, and greater empathy for others• Reduction in ADHD symptoms• Better scores on measures of authority acceptance, cognitive

concentration, and social competence

Postscript

• The Birmingham trial showed promising results after 1 year but no overall effect after 2 years. Why?(1) Context / competing programmes?(2) Fidelity?(3) Longer-term effects not yet visible?(4) Reliance on teacher report?

www.dartington.org.uk www.preventionaction.org