Summary
Well-being, offered by Education+, provides lesson-based and academic integration approaches to SEL. Well-being offers programming for grades K-6. A CASEL-approved evaluation demonstrates evidence of effectiveness in grades 4 and 5. In addition to social and emotional learning, Well-being is built upon principles of positive youth development and service learning. The core curriculum comprises 15 lessons that align with the National Health Education Standards and includes additional activity cards and extension opportunities.
Strategies supporting educational equity (CASEL)
Well-being features strategies for understanding context, working with bias, and youth action projects. This includes training for teachers on trauma-informed instruction and centering students as change agents via the program’s service-learning focus.
Implementation
Below are key implementation details for this program. These specifications help determine if the program is a good fit for your school or organization.
Grade(s)
Elementary (K-5)
Setting
Classroom, Schoolwide, Home, Community
Language
English
Cost
Free to download from provider website
# Lessons
Varies by grade level; For additional information please contact the provider
Program Design
Tier 1 (Universal)
Technology Requirements
None Required
Staffing Requirements
No additional staffing required
Professional Development
Onsite In-Person, Virtual, Offsite
Outcomes
Improved SEL skills and attitudes
Reduced Emotional Distress
Improved Identity Development/ Agency
Improved Academic Performance
Reduced Problem Behavior
Improved School Climate
Improved School Connectedness
Improved Prosocial Behavior
Improved Teaching Practices
Improved SEL Skills and Attitude
Evidence of Effectiveness
Results from a randomized controlled trial conducted in the 2021-22 school year (published in 2023) supported the effectiveness of Well-being for public school students. This evaluation included 249 fourth and fifth grade students attending suburban schools in Canada (43% white, 30% Asian/Asian American). The study found that students who participated in the program had significant improvements in optimism, self-regulation, and gratitude compared to students in the control group (outcomes reported 12-17 weeks after baseline) while controlling for outcome pretest and age.
Published Studies
Refer to the provided CASEL for the most up-to-date published studies.
Schonert-Reichl, K.A., & Kitil, M. J. (2023). Evaluating the efficacy of the Well-being Program (formerly known as WE Well-being) with school-aged children: Summary of findings. A report prepared for the Wellbeing Foundation. University of Illinois Chicago.