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PATHS to Success: Lessons from implementing and evaluating a social and emotional learning programme in primary schools. Nick Axford PhD The Social Research Unit at Dartington. PATHS. Universal school-based programme for 4-11s
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PATHS to Success: Lessons from implementing and evaluating a social and emotional learning programme in primary schools Nick Axford PhD The 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?
