EU NESET Framework for Social and Emotional Education
The European Commission Network of Experts on Social Aspects of Education and Training (NESET) framework for Social and Emotional Education (SEE) is a social and emotional learning framework developed by NESET, a European Union (EU) advisory network of experts that provides scientific support, country-specific expertise, and advice to the European Commission in relation to the equity and social aspects of all types and levels of education and training. The framework is part of the European Commission’s efforts to promote SEE as a core component of European education, and it focuses on a set of intra- and interpersonal competences, as well as resilience and academic learning-oriented skills.
Breakdown by Domain
Domain Key
Cognitive
Emotion
Social
Values
Perspectives
Identity
- Cognitive 24%
- Emotion 12%
- Social 22%
- Values 32%
- Perspectives 2%
- Identity 7%
Key Features
Context & Culture
- Provides general recommendations for creating an inclusive and culturally responsive approach to SEE that includes respecting individual differences; incorporating student and parent voices; and adapting SEE competencies, interventions, and assessments for different contexts and cultures
- Warns against using SEE to enforce cultural or social conformity, promote narrow economic concerns, or value some ways of being over others
- Recommends accompanying SEE with parallel efforts to put in place social structures and systems that support mental health, equal opportunity, and social justice
- Includes a list of common terms used to refer to SEE in each EU member state and provides case studies that highlight how SEE has been integrated into the curricula of various EU member states
- Recognizes the important role of positive classroom/school climate, teacher social-emotional competence and training, and parent education and involvement
Developmental Perspective
- Recommends a developmental approach to SEE, including the use of developmentally appropriate assessments
- No learning progression provided
Associated Outcomes
- Summarizes general findings from a review of studies and meta-analyses linking SEE to a variety of positive behavioral, mental health, academic, and life outcomes across ages and socio-economic and cultural contexts
- Notes the particular importance of SEE as a protective factor for at-risk children, including those from ethnic and cultural minorities, living in poverty, and/or experiencing social, emotional, or mental health difficulties
Available Resources
Support Materials
- No materials provided
Programs & Strategies
- Recommends a whole school systemic approach to SEE and outlines the conditions for effective SEE implementation, including curriculum, climate, early intervention, targeted intervention, student voices, teacher social-emotional competence and wellbeing, parental collaboration, and quality implementation and adaptation
- Summarizes common practices for supporting social-emotional skills across various countries, providing some specific examples
Measurement Tools
- Suggests using formative assessments to monitor, evaluate, and improve student learning
- Emphasizes the importance of culturally-relevant measures of student leaning and program effectiveness
- No tools provided
Key Publications
- Cefai, C., Bartolo, P. A., Cavioni, V., & Downes, P. (2018). Strengthening Social and Emotional Education as a core curricular area across the EU: A review of the international evidence. NESET II analytical report. Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union. Retrieved from: http://nesetweb.eu/wp-content/uploads/AR3_Full-Report.pdf