Publication: SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING IN HIGHER EDUCATION: THE TRENDING OF SERVICES AVAILABLE IN NORTHEAST COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES
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Date
2025-04-17
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Type
Poster
Abstract
Background/Introduction: Social-emotional learning (SEL) is an approach to learning where students are given opportunities to learn and practice skills necessary to succeed in life. Social-emotional learning focuses on abilities specifically related to self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills and responsible decision-making. Students with disabilities graduate from college at a lower rate (21%) when compared to the general population {39%).1 The National Center for Education Statistics report 21% of all enrolled college students report having a disability2. School based occupational therapy practitioners (OTP) have the opportunity to work with students who have disabilities as part of the special education system and as part of that team, these practitioners can support students goals for future educational endeavors including transitions to colleges and universities. Identifying schools and programs that offer SEL services either directly or indirectly could provide OTPs with the information they need to best guide their students through the transitional period.
Objectives: This study aims to examine the current SEL-related services provided to college students in Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont and how they are implemented. A resource will be developed and disseminated to all OTPs in Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont through the respective state occupational therapy associations.
Methods: This study utilized a qualitative descriptive research design to examine SEL services in higher education. A randomized selection was used to identify accredited colleges and universities in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Massachusetts. Google Sheets was used to complete the stratified random sampling. Institutional websites were reviewed for SEL-related services. Data was systematically collected in a Google spreadsheet and will be analyzed to identify trends. A resource tool will be developed based on this information and disseminated to occupational therapy practitioners to support students transitioning to postsecondary education.
1.The U.S. Census' American Community Survey (ACS)
2.National Center for Education Statistics. {2023, TBA). Table 311.10. Number and percentage distribution of students enrolled in postsecondary institutions, by level, disability status, and selected student characteristics: Academic year 2019-20 [Data table]. In Digest of education statistics. U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences. Retrieved March 8, 2025, from
https://nces.ed.gov/programs/digest/d22/tables/dt22_311.10.asp.